Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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354
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1873.
zealous about mere ceremonies. The cloisters and entrance to the enclosures round these colossal Jain statues are precisely like those in other temples, and there is a pitha for offerings in front of the statue.
The dedication of a temple to a saint not a
Tîrthankara is remarkable. The Digambara Jains of Southern India differ, however, entirely from their fellows of the North, in doctrine, books, and customs.
A. B.
PAPERS ON SATRUNJAYA AND THE JAINS.
BY THE EDITOR.
V.-Satrunjaya Hill. Like other sects, the Jainas have their leader of this gana (Ganadhipa) had long ago Tirthas or holy places, which they visit for composed a máhatmya of Satruñjaya in 100,000 worship at stated periods, in vast pilgrim-bands pada; and that Sudharma, the leader of called Sanghas, numbering many thousands, Vira's gana, by his master's direction, made from Gujarat, Marwad, Gangetic India, and an abstract of it in 24,000 verses, from which elsewhere. They enumerate five great Arthas : Dhanesvara, "the humiliator of the Bad-Satrunjaya, Samet śikhar or Mount dhists, composed the present work." It is Pârsvanatha in Bihar, Arbuda or Abu a long panegyric in Sanskrit verse, extending in Sirohi, Girnêr in Surâşhtra, and Chan. to about 8700 lines, put into the mouth of dragiri in the Himalayas. At these places we Maha vira, the last Tirthankara, who, on naturally expect the oldest Jaina remains, and, his visiting Satruñjaya, is requested by according to the Tapa Jaina Patávali, Jaina Indra to relate the legend of the mountain sacred temples were first built in the year 882 Virâta, to A dinâ that Accordingly he proceeds not or Samvat 412, A.D. 355. At Girnår we have only to tell the strictly Jaina legends of the hill, probably their oldest existing remains, but none but interweaves with them long episodes of of them approach to this antiquity, and few Brâhmanic mythology, such as the history of anywhere date earlier than the eleventh or Rama, the war of the Kurus and På twelfth century of our era.
dayas, and stories of Krishna, altering them Satruñjaya or Satruji'is a solitary | as he pleases. mountain lying to the south of the town of | According to the Mahatmya, the hill boasts Pålitânâ, and rising to nearly 2000 feet no less than a hundred and eight names, and as above the sea-level. Its summit is covered many distinot sikharas or peaks, uniting it with temples, and, from their extent and cele- with the sister-tirthas of Abu and Girnar, brity, they are perhaps second in interest to many of them very low, if not quite invisible. none elsewhere. Like other tirthas it has its Of its names, the following is a selection - mahatmya or legend; and the Satrunjaya Satrunjaya--the etymology of which is Mahatmya, in glorification of the hill as a place thus given in the Mahatmya: "Formerly there of pilgrimage, claims to be the oldest Jaina lived in Chandrapura a cruel king named document we possess,--dating as far back as A.D. Kandu. Aroused by a voice from heaven, he 420 according to some, and according to Weber, went into the forest, and was there overcome by in A.D. 598. It professes to have been com- the cow Surabhi, bound by a Yaksha, and posed by Dhaneśvara at Valabh i, by exposed in a cave in the forest. Thereby he command of Silå ditya, king of Surish- attained the knowledge of his guilt. His gotradevi tra. But the author would have us believe or family goddess, Ambika, then appeared to his anthorities were of the remotest antiquity, him and advised him to go on pilgrimage to for he begins by telling that, at the request Satruñjaya; and on the way he met a of Rishabh an atha, Pundarika, the Mahamuni, who taught him fully. Through
• Of course this date must depend on that of Mahl vira's death, to which it professes to be 947 years rab. pequent, or 677 after the era of Vikramarks.
+ Weber, Catr, Mandt, p. 15. I l'here is slo s prone version of the