Comprehensive History Of Jainism

SR No.: 022803
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Aseem Kumar Chatterjee
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 28 MB

Page 165

JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA (AD 600-1000)
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did Jaina temples. Quite a number of Jaina writers have fortunately mentioned the religious shrines in Gujarat from AD 600 to 1000. We have already taken note of the fact that Jinasena II, the author of the Harivamśapurāņa, has referred to two Jaina temples of Vardhamāna and Dostaţikā, both situated in Gujarat. The temple of Vardhamāna (Vadavān) was dedicated to Pārsvanātha and that of Dostatikā to Santinātha, both Digambara shrines built probably around AD 600. It was at Vardhamāna that another Digambara poet Harişeņa, composed his Bịhatkathākośa in AD 931.90 In the vs 1361, corresponding to an 1302, Merutunga completed his Prabandhacintāmani at this town, 41 which was therefore, well-known to both the Digambaras and Svetāmbaras.
The great city of Valabhi, which was an important centre of Jainism in the Gupta period, continued its existence till the last quarter of the eighth century AD. The city was well-known for its celebrated shrine of Candraprabha and was also a famous temple there, dedicated to Mahāvīra. We are told in several Jaina texts that the famous Jaina icons of Valabhi were taken to various other towns before its destruction by the Muslims in vs 845 (AD 787). Jinaprabha 12 tells us that icon of Candraprabha at Valabhi, which was established by Gautamasvāmin, the great disciple of Mahāvīra, was transferred to Prabhāsa also known as Devapattana or Sivapattana before vs 845. The confirmation of this account is found in another Jaina historical text, the Purātanaprabandhasamgraha.13 There is little doubt that the shrine of Candraprabha was established in all probability centuries before it was transferred to Prabhāsa. We further learn from the Vividhatirthakalpa" and Purātanaprabandhasamgraha" that the icon of Vira or Mahāvīra was transferred before the destruction of Valabhi to Srimāla or Bhinmal. Some other icons of this town were taken to various other Jaina holy places including Satrunjaya.
The great Jaina saint Mallavādi, according to the Jaina tradition, was a resident of Valabhi, and it was because of his influence that Jainism became popular in Gujarat at the cost of the Buddhism. 16 Another town of Gujarat which was associated with Jainism from early days was Bhrgukaccha. The great Sakunikāvihāra of this town was one of the greatest and most celebrated Jaina shrines of western India. Several Jaina texts"? refer to this vihāra which was apparently built during the Gupta period. A number of Jaina works were subsequently written to sing the glory of this vihāra.** Later, some of the greatest Jainas of western India, including Hemacandra, visited