Prakrit Jainshastra aur Ahimsa Shodh Samsthan Vaishali Swarna Jayanti Gaurav Granth

SR No.: 012064
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Rushabhchand Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Jainshastra aur Ahimsa Shodh Samsthan Vaishali
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 520
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 13 MB

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South East Asia and Indian Ocean in Jaina Literature
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deceitful and avaricious of other's wealth, he was nicknamed Lobhadeva. He requested his father to allow him to go to Dakşiņāpatha for earn in wealth. The horses, conveyances etc. of the caravan were ready. His father indicated to him the possible dangers and instructed him in tactful behaviour to suit an emergency. He reached Dakşiņāpatha and camped at Sopāraka with an old Sreşthin. In due course, he sold horses and earned enormous wealth. The traders told him that neem-leaves could secure precious stones in the Ratnadvīpa, but the journey to it was full of risks. The gains of Ratnadvīpa captivated the mind of Lobhadeva who proposed to Bhadraśreșthin that they might sail thither for trade. The traders along with Lobhadeva started their sea voyage on an auspicious day. After a rough sea journey, they reached the Ratnadvīpa. After trading profitably there, on their return journey, when their ship, full of exchange-commodities, reached the mid-sea, that avaricious Lobhadeva, fearing that Bhadraśreşthin would be his partner on reaching the shore, took him to the ante-room under some pretext, cruelly pushed him into the sea, and raised a cry of accident, rather too late. He pretended to jump into the sea to meet his friend; but the sailors dissuaded him, and that suited him well. Lobhadeva, however, floating precariously with a plank touched Taradvipa almost unconscious. The story runs further. In the story so many elements are reflected like difficulties of sea-voyage, result of demerits and something about Ratnadvīpa and Tārādvīpa. Nothing is known about Tārādvīpa, Kudangadvīpa, and Kānanadvīpa.
Some more stories are found in Jaina literature about Ratnadvīpa. The Pņnyapālcarit refers to Ratnapur. The Vasudevahiņdi describes the natural beauty of Simhaladvīpa and its richness. The Śrāvaka Pratikramaņasūtra of Ratnasekharasūri, the Avasyakacūrņī of Jinadāsa Gani Mahattara and Tilakamañjari of Dhanapāla also refer to the Siṁhaladvīpa.
Thus the Jaina literature presents a good picture of South East Asia and Indian Ocean and assists us in understanding the heritage of various islands.