Antiquity or Jainism and tirthankara mahavir

SR No.: 250015
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhagchandra Jain
Publisher: Z_Jayantsensuri_Abhinandan_Granth_012046.pdf
Total Pages: 17
Language: English
Classification: Article & Criticism
File Size: 14 MB

Page 8

The Kāyotsarga pose is very popular in Jainism. It is a special freature of Jaina Tirthankara as observed by Acārya Hemacandra. This is the main reason why Dr. Kalidas Nag recognised the ancient Argiv Statues of ten thousand years old as the statue of Rsabhadeva. Mohenjodaro excavation gives us an impression that the expanded hood of a snake marked on the heads of the statues there is a sign of Naga clan. As we know, the Nāga, Yakşa, Gandharva, Kinnara and Dravida clans were originally belonged to Sramana cult, existed prior to Vedic cult. On the basis of these references we can assume that the Sramana cult is even older than Brāhmana cult. BHARATA AND BAHUVALI
Rsabhadeva and his sons Bharat and Bahubali are well-known personalities to literature, art and architecture. Let us know something about the status of them found at Sramanavelagola, the place for penance and meditation of Lord Bahubali and Candragupta Maurya, the Samrat of Magadh. The colossus of Bhagwan Bahubali is the best and the most important ancient monument in the field of Indian iconography: Lord Bahubali, as we know, was one of the beloved sons of Tirthankara Rsabhadeva, the son of the last Kulakara Nābhirāya. He was married to Yasasvati (Sunanda) and sumangala with a newly established method which was not adopted earlier. Yasasvati gave birth to Bharat and Brahmi and Sumangala to Bahubali and Sundara. It is said that 98 more sons were born from Sumangala 21 According to Jinasena, the total number of sons were 101 adding the name Rşabhasena.22
Tirthankara Rsabhadeva distributed his kingdom among the princes. Out of them, Bharata, the eldest son became the sovereign of Ayodhyā and Bahubali was enthroned to Podanapura. We do not find any other detailed description as to which provinces were allotted to other sons. The names of provinces have been generally mentioned in the Puranas of course.
Later Bharata started all efforts to fulfil his ambition to be Cakravarti. He was finally opposed by Bahubali and consequently the war between them became essential to determine as to who was more powerful. On declaration of war, the leaders of both the sides thought that the war would cause a destruction and misery to both the parties. Hence it had to be avoided at any cost. Bharata and Bahubali were persuaded by the elders to avoid the bloodshed and restrict the conflit to both of them only. According to one concept the duel was restricted to Dristiyuddha (starting constantly at each other till one of them is exhausted), Jalayuddha (splashing of water) and mallayuddha (wrestling). At last
Bharata could not meet the challenge and was defeated by Bahubali. Bharata was frustrated and provoked so much that he hurled the Cakra on Bāhubali. But it could not hurt him at all.
The reaction of this unfortunate event on the mind of Bahubali was that he renounced worldly life and went to mount Kailasa for severe penance. He ultimately attained Kevalajāna and then Nirvana. RECOGNITION OF PODANPUR
Now the question is as to how the place Podanapur! could be recognised. Jinasena described the cultural peculiarties of the provinces. An envoy of Bharata Cakravarti had come to visit Podanapura to convey the message of Bharata to Bahubali. Podanpura, the capital of Bahubali's kingdom, might have been in the present Andhra Pradesha. Gunabhadra made it clear that Podanpura was situated in South India.
Jambu Visessane dvipe Bhārate dakşine mahān. Suramye vişayastatra vistirnam podanam puram.23
The Buddhist literature also supports the view that Podanapura (Potan, Podan, Patali) was the capital of Ašmaka šituated on the bank of the Godavari.24 Panini also agres with this view.25
Dr. Hemachandra Rai Chaudhari recognises Bodhana as Podana of the Mahabhārata and Pottana of Buddhist literature. The Vasudevahindi also supports the view of Dr. Rai Chaudhari.
The Svetāmbara tradition in general is of the view that Taksašila was the capital of Bahubali. One tradition says the Podanpura town is Bodhana of Nizamabada district in Andhra Pradesa. The Bharatakavya of Pampa. the Vemulvada Piller inscription and the Parvani Copper Inscription also support the view. This town was also the capital of the Rāstrakuta king Indraballabha. Tha Jaina temple therein was converted into a mosque during the Mugala period.
According to the Jaina tradition, Bharata had installed the Bāhubali statue at Podanapura. After a sufficient gape of period it was covered and became difficult to locate. Acārya Jinansena narrated the whole story to the mother of Camundarai who went on to find out the exact place at Padanapura 25 He visited on the way the Candragupta Vasadi of Sramanabelagola and paid homage to Lord Pārsvanātha and Acārya Bhadrabahu. It is said that during the night in a dream he was instructed by Padmavatidevi that it would not be possible for him to reach Podanapura. But he could have a Darsana of Bahubali there itself, if he threw a golden arrow from Candragiri to the South direction.
SHRIMAD JAYANTSENSURI ABHINANDAN GRANTH/ENGLISH SECTION 24 Jain Education International
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