Lord Mahavira Vol 03

SR No.: 023278
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S C Rampuria
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 232
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 61

52
Lord Mahavira's
But a number of other mentions make the Vikrama era begin, not from the birth of Vikrama, but from his coronation. For example, in the Sthaviravali of Merutunga (13th-14th century) we find :
विक्कमरज्जारंभा पुरओ सिरि-वीर-णिबुई भणिया। सुन्न-मुणि वेयजुत्तो विक्कमकालाउ जिणकालो।।
"The Nirvana of Vira (Mahâvîra ) is said to have taken place prior to the reign of Vikrama, and the difference between the Nirvana era and the Vikrama era is 470 years." Similarly, we find in the Tapagaccha Pattavali (16th century).
तद्राज्यं तु श्रीवीरात् सप्ततिवर्षशतचतुष्ठये ४७० संजातम्।
"His (Vikrama's) reign , began 470 years after Vira (Nirvana).” In the Pavapurikalpa of Jinaprabha Suri (13th-14th Century) we are told in the form of a prophecy made by the prophet himself.
महमुक्खगमणाओ पालय-णंद-चंदगुत्ताइराईसु वोलीणेसु चउसय-सत्तरेहिं वासेहिं विक्कमाइच्चो राया होही।
"After my attainment of salvation when Palaka, Nanda, Candragupta and other kings would pass away, 470 years having elapsed, Vikramaditya would become king." Yet another work Prabhavakacarita by Prabhacandra Suri (13th century) says :
इत : श्रीविक्रमादित्य : शास्त्यवन्तीं नराधिपः।
अनृणां पृथिवीं कुर्वन् प्रवर्तयति वत्सरम्।। “Henceforth king Vikramaditya would rule at Avanti, and freeing the earth of its debt, would start an era."
These mentions clearly lay down that the Vikrama era began from the coronation of Vikrama and not from his birth, and since Vikrama is said to have ascended the throne at the age of 18 years, Mr. K.P. Jayaswal proposed that the Nirvana of Mahâvîra should be understood to have taken place 470+18 = 488 years prior to the Vikrama era.?
Yet another view had arisen out of the mention by Hemacandra in his Parisista Parva (12th century) as follows :
एवं च श्रीमहावीरमुक्तवर्षशते गते। पंच-पंचाशदधिके चन्द्रगुप्तोऽभवन्नृपः।। (परि० ८,३३९) “Thus, after the lapse of 155 years after the salvation of