Religion and Culture of the Jains

SR No.: 014007
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: D C Sirkar
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1973
Total Pages: 168
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 10 MB

Page 73

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RELIGION AND CULTURE OF THE JAINS
followed by other northern countries) and Kāñcipura. The inscription does not say what he did at Kāñcipura; but the mention of 'the beating of drum' suggests that he went there with the intention of challenging and inviting religious disputants.
Another interesting feature of his activities is the conversion of a king called Śivakōti to Jainism and, according to the Jain tradition as recorded in the Rajavalikathe of Devacandra, Sivakōti was a king of Kāñci. The king, on perceiving the miracle performed by the Jain teacher, is said to have abdicated, taken dīkṣā and come to be called Śivakoti Acārya.30 It may be noted that the palm-leaf manuscript from Jina-Kãñci mentions one Śivakōți as the 25th propagator, after Samantabhadra and before Pujyapāda, The identity of the kings Śivakumāra and Śivakoti and the periods of their rule over Kāñcī are matters on which nothing can be said.
There is, however, little reason to doubt that Samantabhadra's activities accentuated the spread of the Jain faith in the Tamil country, particularly at Kāñci and the surrounding regions. Not a mere 'promulgator' of the Jain doctrine, this famous teacher was also a great writer and his advent in South India marks an important epoch in the annals of the Digambara tradition.
Pujyapada is the next important name in the promulgation of the Jain faith in the Tamil country, as mentioned in the Jina-Käñci manuscript. A Pujyapada is said to have been the preceptor of Vajranandin who founded the Dravida Sangha in Madurai in c. 470 A.D.81 Jain tradition speaks of a Pūjyapada who practised yoga, acquired psychic powers, travelled throughout South India, encountered disputants and vanquished them in open debate. He made valuable contributions to Jain philosophy, logic and grammar through his writings. 32
30 A. Narasimhachar, Kavicarite, Vol. I, pp. 2-4; Ep. Carn., Vol. II, Intro.,p. 83, note 4.
31 Journ. Bomb. Br. R. As. Soc., Vol. XVII, p. 74; Upadhye, Pravacanasara, Intro., p. xxi.
32 M. V. Krishna Rao, op. cit., p. 55; B. A. Saletore, op. cit., pp. 20-21; Kavicarite, Vol. I, pp. 164-65; Ep.Carn., Vol. II, No. 64.