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14
THE JAINA GAZETTE
How had Mahavira in these wonderful words interpreted the ancient truth 'Tatvamasi' Thou art that, there is but one self, but one spirit, the eternal one. And you and I and everyone of us, every human being every creature is a limb of the whole imperishable body of the eternal Purusha.
VARDHAMANA PURANA.*
BY (Prof. R. Tattacharya, M.A., L. T.)
Introduction. The following summary is written from the Kannada poem of Achanna or Achiraja. The work begins with salutation to Sri Vardhamana Jinendra, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas and Sadhus, Sarasvati. Siddhayini Yakshi and Gajendra Yaksha are next invoked. Praise of Gautama the Ganadhara, Bhutabali, Pushpadanta, Griddha Pinchacharya, Samantabhadraswami, Pujyapadaswami and Akalanka-deva are next honourably praised. Next as authors of Jinendrapuranas the following Kannada poets are mentioned. Sri Vijaya, Gajankusa, Gunavarma, Nagavarma, Asaga, Pampa, Ponna (endearingly Honniga), Ranna (Ranniga), Aggala and Boppa. Rechana (Rechirajaa military chieftain under the Kalachurya ruler Ahavamallawas a devout Jain. He ordered the completion of the ViraJinesvara Kavya begun by Kesiraja in collaboration with Tikkana and Chavana. The author Achanna is (a Jaina Brahman) of Bharadvaja Gotra, son of Kesiraja and Mattamba, of pure conduct, a disciple of Sri Nandi-Yogindra, and famous as Vani-vallabha. The narration here is in accordance with the history described by the Ganadharas and the learned. Previous Births of the Soul of Lord Vardhamana
Mahavira. South of the Meru Mount in Bharata Khanda Jambudvipa lies the country of Magadha with its capital Rajagri ha.
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