Jainism in North India

SR No.: 011067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Chimanlal J Shah
Publisher: Longmans Green and Compny London
Publication Year: 1932
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

Page 154

JAINISM IN ROYAL FAMILIES as we shall see later on, like Asoka, enjoys the unique honour of being responsible for a distinct landmark in the history of the Northern Jainas. Before taking up the particular dynasties that had their sway orer tlic Magadhan empire it will not be out of place to say something about the historical and geographical importance of Magadha proper, in the light of Jaina history. It roughly corresponds to the present Patna and Gaya, the districts of Bihar. Its earliest capital was Girivraja ("hill-surrounded") or old Rajagtha, near Rajgir among the hills near Gaya. The capital seems to have been an impregnable city, being protected by five hills. "It is bounded on the north by Baibhara-giri and Bipula-giri (the former on the western side and the latter on the eastern side); on the east by Bipula-giri and Ratnagiri or Ratnakuta ; on the west by a portion of the Baibhara-giri called Cakra and Ratnacala; and on the south by Udaya-giri, Sona-giri and Guzvaja-giri" 2 These bills, one and all, enjoy a very important place in Jama history even to this day. There are Jaina temples of Malavira, Parsva and other Titharkaras on the Baibhara, Bipula, Udaya and Sona-giri hills. Besides this, Mahavira's personal connections with Magadha are self-evident when tre know from the Kalpa-Sutra that the greater part of his missionary life he spent in Rajagrha and the suburb of Nalanda. No less than fourteen rainy-seasons he was there, and that too not only as an independent preacher but, as we shall see later on, as one who had the State behind him to directly patronise and sympathise with him in his great mission. Moreover, We know from the list of the Sthaviras that the eleven Ganadha, as of the Venerable ascetic Mahavira died in Rajagrha after a long ieligious fast 6 2 It is known by some other names also For instance, the Life of Hruen-Tsang observes. "The old city of Rajogrla is that which is called Kiu-she-kie-la-po-lo (Kusagarapura) Thus city is in the centre of Blagadha, and an old times many rulers and kings inved in it "Beal, Life of Huen-Tsang, p 118 Cf Cunningham, op cit,p 529 Indian Buddhist writers are still another name, Bimbasarapuri Cf Lan (BC), Buddhaghosha, P $7, n 1; Raychaudhuri, op cl,p 70. * Dey, op at, p 66 CA Cunningham, op cit, p 580 Thd, pp 530-582 Nalanda is identified with Bargaon, which lies seven miles to the north-West of Rugir in the district of Patna C Cunningham, op cit,p 596 It contains a beautiful Jaina temple of Nahavira, who appears to have dwelt at Nalanda, perhaps on the site of the present temple, while Buddha resided in the Pivarha mango-orchard-Dey, opal, 137 Cf Jacobi, op and local & Ibid, p 287. 111