Mahavira Jayanti Smarika 1975

SR No.: 014031
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhanvarlal Polyaka
Publisher: Rajasthan Jain Sabha Jaipur
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 446
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 11 MB

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Parsvanath and Suparsvanath both Tirthankaras visited & preached Jainism all over the six Khandas which includes the entire present world in prehistorical period and Jain Kings like Bimbsar Srenik, Chandra Gupta Maurya, Sampriti and Kaling Emperor Kharvel etc. had sent missionaries, to preach Jainisin in foreign count:ies in historical period so it is natural that their representation serpent as well as swastika worship is found there.
H. Frank Fort has indicated that serpent worship existed 4000 years ago in Babylonia25 Serpent worship prevailed in Egypt.26 Seals unearthed from Mohenjodaro (Pakistan) proves serpent worship in Indus Valley (Pakistan).27 In Rome serpents were kept in large numbers in temples 28 Fergusson found serpent worship in Maxico and Dahomey.29 Serpent worship existed in Thai Land30 and their people used to celebrate surpents festival like Indian people. There are images of Parsvanath with serpent hood in various museums there. 31 Swastika the royal symbol of Suparsva also enjoyed great respect to America.
Serpents the sacred representation of holy Tirthankaras, can not be so cruel and unkind as we suppose. They bite only in defence or taking revenge. A snake bite the son of a magician who complaint to the king of snakes. He summoned all the snakes of locality and asked who & why bite his son. A snake told that his son killed his serpani, a few days back without any cause so he bite to take revenge. The man admitting the fact said that searing she might not bite, he killed. The king said even snakes have a right to pass over the earth. His son was at fault and not snake. Lord Parsvanath saved burning a couple of snakes, in gratitude, they saved the Lord when he was in deep medidation at Ahi-Chetra in District Bareily of Uttar Pradesh, against the evil rain of his enemy. Jain Acharya Shanti Sagar when were in meditation in 1955 a snake played on his body, continuously for hours and left without harming anybody even in present 20th century A.D.32 When the European philosopher Mr. Plenton was visiting great Indian Saint Scholar Raman's Ashram, suddenly an horrible, large black-snake came out of nereby bush, the European ran after him with stick to kill, a disciple obstracted and took the
25. Illustrated London News, Sept. 5, 1936. fig. II, p. 390. 26. Herodotus-II-74. 27. Henrich Zimmer. The Art of Indian Asia, Vol. II. Plate 2-C. 28. Furgusson-loc. cit, p. 48. 29. Ibid p. 8 & 10. 30. Temples & Sculptures of South East Asia, (London) Tricoloured Plates No.
35, 36, 37, 33, 34, 259, 391, 412 & 413. 31. Ibid. 32. Hindi Jain Gazette Shanti Sagar Special Ank.