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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centres with Jain temples. Kumbharia, Maini, Sejakpur, Sarotra were noted centres in Gujarat where Jain merchants had erected temples. is traceable to very early times. Adinath the first of the twenty four Tirthankara is said to have delivered a sermon on Mt. Shatrunjaya (Hema chandra, Trisastisalaka Purusacharita, vol. Eng. translated by Bhattacharya, 1931). At Raivataka Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankara renounced the world, obtained omniscience and emancipated together with a large number of sages. Brigukaccha (mod. Broach) one of the oldest port of India was a popular Jain centre in the early centuries of Christian era. In the Gupta period Vallabhi became an important centre of Jainism. During the historical period the first wave of jainism seems to have passed over Gujarat in the fourth century B.C., when Bhadrabahu, the head of Jain Sangha visited Girinar, during his migration from Magadha to South. (Jain, K.P. P. 185). Somanath, situated in Jungarh is also a sacred place of Jainism. It is also known as Chandrabhasa. Vallabhi and Srimal were great seat of Jain religion and learing. Srimal was the first capital city of Gujars who gave the name Gujrat to the province. Rsi Gupta, a disciple of Suhastin, originated a number of Sakhas among which the most significant name is that of Saurastrika (sacred Book of the East, P.292). This indicates that before the end of the 3rd century B.C. the Jainism reached country of Gujrat. Rajasthan :- An interesting Sakha connected with a definite geographical name is that of Madhyamika originated from a disciple of Suhastin. The town of Madhyamika is mentioned in the Canonical texts (see Vipaka sutra, Kota, 1935, P.369). Creation of this sakha before the end of 3rd century B.C. proves that Jainism reached Rajasthan before that time. Gopani observes that Jainism in Gujarat was prevalent in the 1st centrury B.C. The popularity of Jainism is indicated by the fact that Vikramaditya, the founder of Vikram era, himself went on pilgrimage to the celebrated jain site of Shatrunjaya. In 1912, a stone inscription was discovered by G.H.Ojha from Badali, a place in Ajmer district, Rajasthan. According to him inscription should be regarded as old as 400 B.C. On this basis some scholars came to conclusion that Jainism was introduced in Rajasthan before 400 B.C. Gujarat possesses both the types of Tirthas. Of all the Siddhakshetras enumerated by Hiralal Jain (1962) three, viz. Shatrunjaya, Girinar, and Taranga are located in Gujarat. Except for Bihar no region in India is as rich as Gujarat in so far as the Siddha khetras are cencerned (Jain, 1939). These three Tirthas situated on the hill tops and among the midst of the forests became sanctified places and in course of time there were erected temples in honour of the Tirthankaras. The Jain monks of Mathura used to visit Gujrat in early centuries of Christian era, had to pass through Rajasthan. Abu, the celebrated Jaina site on Aravali range is situated 18 miles north west of Abu Road in Sirohi district of Rajasthan. It is one of the five most sacred hills of Jainas. From Pindwara (Sirohi distt) was discovered a brass image of Risabhanath with an inscription of Sambat 744 (687 A.D.) Shatrunjaya, a hill lying beside the town of Palitana in the Bhavanagar district is the holiest Jain Tirtha in Gujarat. It is sacred to the memory of Adinath, who patronised it more than anyother place. Girinar is one of the most sacred hills of the Jainism lying four miles East of Junagarh, Gujarat. This is the highest hill in Gujarat. Taranga, a sacred hill of jainas, is situated 35 miles north east of the Mehsana dist. of Gujarat. Binamal or Bhinamal (Jalor distt.) capital of Capa dynesty was a great Jain centre from the 7th century if not earlier. Jinaprabha (Vividhatirtha Kalpa P.86) refers to this place as sacred to Mahabira. Javalipur (mod. Jalor) was a well known jain centre. Osia and Ghatiyala inscriptions prove the popularity of jainism in Jodhpur area of Rajasthan from the days of Vatsraja (2nd half of the 7th century A.D.). The sites, likely Ghumly, Than, Bhadreshwar, Kanthkot and Vadnagar were important political The famous Chitor or Citrafluta the native town of the celebrated Jain Savanta Haribhadra (middle of 8th century A.D.) was a well known Jain centre हीरक जयन्ती स्मारिका अध्यापक खण्ड / 31