Spread of Jainism in Ancient India

SR No.: 250320
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ram Bachan Singh
Publisher: Z_Jain_Vidyalay_Hirak_Jayanti_Granth_012029.pdf
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 1
Language: English
Classification: Article & History
File Size: 870 KB

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the reign of Chandilla (955 A.D.). This inscription and the beautiful temples at Khajuraho prove the popularity of Jainism in Chandilla Dominion. The literary sources give us more meaningful and extensive information regarding the state of Jainism in M.P. before 1000 A.D. There is a mention of a temple dedicated to Parsvanath at Dhara, the famous capital of Paramaras in Darsanasara of Devasena, a work of 933 A.D. Southern Bengal which were not far from borders of Orissa. The Avasyakaniryukti records that Mahabira more than once had visited Tosali prominent city of Orissa. A large number of inscriptions (Ludes list No.1346, 1348-53) prove that the Jainism was much popular in Orissa. The popularity of Jainism in Kalinga during the days of the Nandas show that even before the birth of the Sakhas and Ganas, the Jain religion made some converts in Orissa and during the rule of Mahameghavahana kings Jainism became the principal religion of Orissa (chatterjee, 78). Some later inscriptions of Udayagiri and Khandagiri cave and a few inscription of 10th and 11th century A.D. prove that Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills remained a popular and favourite place of pilgrimage for the Jain monks (see A.S.T.A.R. 1922-32,P.130). From Orissa a number of Jain inscriptions belonging to the post Gupta period have been found. We have 7th century inscriptions (Indian Archaology, 1955) which refers to the installation of Jain images and points to the existence of an early jain establishment on these hills. These inscriptions discovered from different places in Orissa prove that Jainism continued to flourish in Orissa as late as the 10th century A.D. Eight Km. from the town of Barwani in Madhya Pradesh is Bawan Gaja (52 yards) hill, a place of considerable sanctity among the Jains. Its name is devived from the popular ideas or the hight of the Jiagantic figure of the Jain teacher Gomateshwar. Madhya Pradesh : . All the available sources indicate that by the begining of the 4th century A.D. Jainism became an all India religion. In North India the Swetambar as and in south India Digmbaras were predominate. Literary evidences and discovery of a number of Jain sculptures, belonging to the Gupta Period prove the popularity of Jainism in the different places of Madhya Pradesh. Maharastra :- Quite a few places of modern Maharasta were connected with Jainism from early times. Most probably Jainism was introduced in Maharastra by the Mauryan period. Literary and archaelogical evidences show that Tagara (modern Ter) was a popular Jain centre in the early century of the Chiristian era. Discovery of Jaina images from Ellora, Pattur of the Gupta period prove that Jainism was slowly emerging as an important religious seat in Maharastra. Surparaka according to Jaina literary tradition was connected with Jainism, During the rule of the Western Chalukyas and the Rastrakutas jainism was tremendously popular not only in the lower Deccan but also in the modern Maharastra state. According to Jinapprabha (P.85) Tirthankara Chandraprabha was worshiped from very early times as Jivitsvamin at Nasik. At Pratisthan (mod. Paithan) another old city of Maharastra there was a famous shrine dedicated to Muni Suvrata (Vividhatirthakalpa, P-59). The Vasudevahindi (Part I, P-61) composed in 5th century A.D. refers to the temple fo Jiyantasvamin Mahabira at Ujjayini. During the Gupta period Vidisa was strong hold of Jainism and received patronage. Dasapura (modern Mandsor, M.P.) also was a strong hold of Jainism. Quite a good number of Swetambara monks of the early 1st century A.D. were connected with Dasapura. The popularity of Jainism is proved by the beautiful Jain caves of Ellora, most of which were excavated by 800 A.D. (See the Classical Age P-499). There is a reference to the Sparious Alten Copper Plate discovered from Kolhapur district. The inscription proves the existence of great Jain temple in kolhapur district of Maharastra in the ancient period. From the well known Jain Temple complex at Sonagiri (Datia district, M.P.) has been discovered an epigraph of the 7th century A.D. which proves the antiquity of the Jain centres. Among the few Jain inscriptions from Madhya Predesh, the most important is Khajuraho inscription (see E.l. vol I. P. 35-36) of Gujarat :- Gujarat is not the native place of Jainism. No Jain Tirthankara is known to have been born here. Yet the association of jainism with Gujrat हीरक जयन्ती स्मारिका अध्यापक खण्ड /30