________________
South East Asia and Indian Ocean in Jaina Literature
409
in 1336 A.D. by Harihar and Bukka, the two brothers who fought out with Bahumani Sulatanas. Suvarnadvīpa or Svarnabhūmī and other Dvīpas
From Burma to Malāyā region was called Suvarnabhūmī and its eastern region (Combodia, Laos, Vietnam, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Bornio etc.) was named, as Svarnadvīpa. It appears that South East Asia was named as Svarnabhūmī or Svarnadvīpa. The same has been referred by Talmi as Chryse Chora. It is also supported by Alberuni. This region was famous for gold and other precious metal and therefore its name Svarnadvīpa or Svarnabhūmī is quite meaningful. The earliest reference to this region is found in connection with trade. The stories of sea-traders visiting to Svarnabhūmī are occurred in the Kathāsaritsāgara, Brhatkathāmañjarī and Brhatkathāślokasangraha.
The Brhatkathāślokasangraha refers to a story of a sea-trader named Acera who visits with his companions to Svarnabhumi in search of gold. They had to face some misfortunes in reaching the destination. The mountain route was very much narrow (Ajapatha) and covered with creepers (vetrapatha). Somehow they could reach to the bank of a river which was covered with golden sand. This story indicates the spirit of sea-traders.
The Kathāsaritsāgara (Taranga 54, Śloka 97) also mentions a number of stories of sea-trades. Accordingly, Samudrasūra starts his sea-voyage and reached to Kalashapur seaport of Svarṇabhūmī. The cargo of a sea-trader Rudra was sunk while returning from Svarnabhūmī. Likewise, some other stories are related with Iśvaravarma and Yasahketu (Taranga 57, Sloka, 86). Another story mentions that a ship of a queen of Kațāhadvīpa was sunk near Svarnadvīpa while returning to India (ibid, Taranga 123). Kațāhadvīpa may be identified with modern Kedda or Kedeh (Kadar). This Island was a centre of sea-trades Guhasena went to Kațāhadvīpa from Tāmralipti with his wife.
The Kathākośa speaks of a story of Nāgadatta who starts his sea-voyage with 500 cargoes. When he entangled with mountains,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
