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 237

JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA traditional literature of the Jainas Referring to his predecessor, Gardabhilla, they tell us that their great Jaina saint. Kalikacarya, being insulted by him by the abduction of his sister, who had joined the order with him, approached one of the Scythian kings and with his help successfully wreaked his vengeance.1 To quote Dr Charpentier. "This legend is perhaps not totally devoid of all historical interest. For it records how the Jaina Kalaka, having been insulted by King Gardabhilla of Ujjain, who, according to various traditions, was the father of the famous Vikramaditya, went in his desire for revenge to the land of the Sakas, whose king was styled 'King of Kings' (Sahanusaha). This title, in its Greek and Indian forms, was certainly borne by the Saka kings of the Punjab, Maues and his successors, who belong to this period; and as it actually appears in the form Shaonano Shao on the coins of their successors, the Kushana monarchs, we are perhaps justified in concluding that the Legend is to some extent historical in character. However this may be, the story goes on to tell us that Kalaka persuaded a number of Saka Satraps to invade Unain and overthrow the dynasty of Gardabhilla; but that some years afterwards his son, the glorious Vikramaditya, repelled the invaders and re-established the throne of his ancestors. What the historical foundation of this legend may be is wholly uncertain; perhaps it contains faint recollections of the Scythian dominion in Western India during the first century B.C In any case, it seems undoubtedly to give further proof or the connection of the Jains with Ujjai-a fact indicated also by their use of the Vikrama era, which was established in the country of Malwa, of which Ujjain was the capital." 4 In connection with Saint Kalaka of the Jainas it may be men. tioned here that he went to King Satayana of Pratishthanapura i the Deccan. During the Paruushana--the sacred festival at the close of the Jaina year--the king, being engaged in the obs 1 Kalhacarya-katha, vy 9-40, pp 1-4 C4 KODOM, EI, XIV, P 293 "KAR the uprooter of Gardablula, lived 453 "Katt, IA, X1, P251 Cr hd, P * Charpentier, C.H.V,1,P 168, Stevenson (D-Irs), op cit, p 75, M.A.R, 1023, p a: fet: # wife:-Kulalicinija-hallid, 20, p 2, FLETCHITE: 8 -Toad, v 27, P 3 Cy" the Jaina work, Kolakacarya-hathanala, states that kings were called Sahr"-Raychaudhurt, op at, p 274, Jacobi, Z.DMG, COUP C Konov, op cit,p 208 9 "He (Vikraraditya) saved the nation and Hinduism by signally decat Scythinns, whose political importance and outlandish manners hnd appalled the -Mazumdar, op cit, D63 CT bd, D638 "Vikramiditya ouste HC selam became king, whercafter he established his own cr Konove, on and for cil Charpentier, op and loc chi 188 Llie Indur