Jaina Gazette 1928

SR No.: 034890
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 502
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 406

BAHUBALI COLOSSI
237 'Raya,'' Anna' etc.), and not a few titles, unless the new one had its raison d'etre in history, religion or tradition?
(2) Sj. A. Santiraja Sastri, Nyayatirtha says, in his letter of the 14th August 1926 to me; that, as the name Camunda is associated with the fierce goddess Kali and is consequently repulsive to the feelings of the Jainas, Nemicandra might have changed it to 'Gommata' (or 'Gommata Raya ').1 But I beg to differ. For the Digambara Jainas need not be told, that? 'Camundi' is the name of the 'Yaksini '3 (i.e., the female attendent spirit) of the 21st Tirthankara, Sri Neminatha. Without doubt, therefore, after the said 'Yaksini' was Camunda Raya so named, and not after the 'fierce Kali.' Camunda Raya built a temple called 'Camunda Raya Basadi' after him on the smaller hill, Candragiri at Sravana Belgola, where he installed an image of the 23rd Tirthankara, Sri Neminatha, in the doorway of which shrine he installed an image of 'Kusmandini' also, the 'Yaksini' of the said Tirthankara. This name 'Kusmandini' is no less dismal; yet Camunda Raya placed her image within the shrine of this favourite Tirthankara, and Nemicandra too did not discountenance his disciple's action. So the association of the name 'Camunda' with the 'fierce Kali,' could not be the reason of Nemicandra's changing the name to 'Gommata.'4
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(3) Some, though few, hold that the name 'Gomata' applies to Bahubali himself. He is said to have travelled far and wide, between his renunciation and attainment of perfection. According to them 'Gommata' is 'one who rambles over the earth' (gam atatiti gomalah). But it is needless to say that, the compound and its analysis are hopelessly muddled, for whence could the augment 'm' which is so prominent in the word 'Gomata' come then?
Now before presenting my own theory regarding the origin of the name 'Gommata', let me explain how and why Camunda
1
I publish his opinion with his express approval.
2
But according to the Svetambaras, she is called Gandhari.'
3 Cf. Hemacandra, Abhidhanacintamani,' verses 44-46.
4 It is to be noted that most of the female attendant spirits of the Jaina Tirthankaras bear the names of the Hindu goddess Durga,