Arya Bhadrabahu

SR No.: 269040
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M A Dhaky
Publisher: Z_Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_1_002105.pdf and Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_2
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 48
Language: English
Classification: Article & Ascetics
File Size: 1 MB

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Arya Bhadrabāhu
900). Moreover, the Śravanabelgola inscription no. 251 at the Bhadrabahu cave on Cikkabeța and datable to c. 11th cent. A. D., the two epigraphs from Humca (A.D.1075, 1077) and one other there datable to the c. 13th cent. A. D.33 are to some extent relevant to the discussions in the present context. All of these will be discussed in section VI where they have a direct pertinence.
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IV
The Deducible Facts from Sources
While focusing on this aspect, the first to be noticed, since more ancient, are the Northern sources34. The second Phase of the Sthaviravali of the Paryuṣaṇa-kalpa (c. 1st cent. A.D.) notices two disciples of Arya Yaśobhadra (the fourth patriarch after the apostle Sudharma), namely Arya Sambhūtavijaya and Arya Bhadrabahu as earlier stated. It next turns to Arya Sthulabhadra (the disciple of Ārya Sambhuta) and his seven successors up to Arya Vajrasena and next mentions the latter's four disciples. Hereunder I quote from the text (after removing the Mahārāṣtrī affectations and, as its consequence, restoring the original Ardhamāgadhi linguistic form) only that portion which has relevance to Bhadrabahu :
थेरस्स नं अज्जजसभद्दस्स तुंगियायनगुत्तस्स अंतेवासी दुबे थेरा- थेरे अज्जसम्भूतविजए माढरसगुत्ते, थेरे अज्जभद्दबाहु पाईनस गुत्ते ।
This statement reports that Bhadrabahu was the disciple of Arya Yaśobhadra and had belonged (prior to ordination) to the family having the Pracina-gotra, which, in essence, may imply that he belonged to the "Prācī" or eastern country35. The country immediately easterly in relation to Magadha is Varendra with Vanga including ancient Rāḍha (called Ladha in Magadhi), these being the major territories forming ancient (as well as undivided modern) Bengal. (The Nandi-sthavirâvali [c. A.D. 450], as remarked earlier, repeats this information36.)
The literary passage immediately next in sequence is the enlarged version of the hagiographical list-the Phase 3 of the Sthaviravali of the aforenoted Paryuṣanā-kalpa which thus runs :
थेरस्स नं अज्जजस भद्दस्स तुंगियायनगुत्तस्स इमो दो थेरा अन्तेवासी अहावच्चा अभिनाता हुत्था || तं जथा— थेरे अज्जभद्दबाहु पाईनसगुत्ते, थेरे अज्जसम्भूतविजए माढरसगुत्ते । थेरस्स नं अज्जभद्दबाहुस्स पाईनसगुत्तस्स इमे चत्तारि थेस अन्तेवासी अहावच्चा अभिन्नाता हुत्था । तं जथा --- थेरे गोदासे १, थेरे अग्गिदत्ते २ थेरे जन्नदत्ते ३, थेरे सोमदत्ते ४ कासवगुत्तेनं । थेरेहितो गोदासहिंतो कासवगत्तेहिंतो इत्थं नं