Jain Journal 1986 01

SR No.: 520081
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 55
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 54

JANUARY, 1986
125
efforts of Sravika Dina at the request of Monk Vrddhahasti who belonged to the Koliya gana and Vaira śākha. The Jaina literature such as Brhatkalpabhāşya and Vyavahārabhāşya of Sanghadasagani Ksamasramana (8th century A.D.) refer to a devanirmite stūpa at Mathura. The great Jaina saint Jinabhadragani (6th century A.D.) visited this place. The date of this inscription was read as year 49 (circa 127 A.D.). This devanirmite stūpa was dedicated to Bhagavan Aranatha whose lāñchana is a nandyāvarta. This most important Jaina inscription of Mathura proves the popularity of this Jina during the Kusana period.
Bhagavan Aranatha obtained the name Ara because Queen Mitrasena, his mother, saw a dream of a wheel (ara) of jewels while he was in the womb.
It is important to note that not a single sculpture of Bhagavan Aranatha have come to light from the province of Bihar which is treated as most sacred land in the Jaina pantheon. The author of this paper who is working on Jainism in the Eastern Bihar, however, traced a singular sculpture of Bhagavan Aranatha at Bhagalpur recently.10 The town of Bhagalpur (ancient Campa) needs no introduction to the Jaina community. Here Bhagavan Vasupujya attained the pancakalyānakası2 and it was the place of ancient Jaina temple (Pūrņabhadra caitya)18 of Bhagavan Parsvanatha. The image of Bhagavan Aranatha in question have been enshrined in the Digambara Jaina Temple, 14 Bhagalpur. It is carved of white marble stone and measures 10 x6 inches. It is inscribed which records its donation by one Govinda Raja, in the samvat 1533 (circa 1476 A.D.). The Jina is seated in padmāsana in yogimudrä. His curly hair in uşnişa style, long ears, half closed eyes, śrivatsa mark upon chest testify his Jinahood. The lāñchana depicted in the middle of the pedestal is a fish instead of a nandyāvarta.
From the aforesaid discussion, it is clear that the image of Bhagavan Aranatha enshrined in the Bhagalpur Temple is of great archaeological importance.
Prakrit Proper Names, Vol. II, p. 589. 7 Vividhatirthakalpa, p. 19. . Epigraphia Indica, Vol. IV, pp. 244 t. • Uttara Purana, p. 205. 10 Roychoudhury, P. C., Bihar District Gazetteer, Bhagalpur (Patna-1962). 11 Palit, D. P., The Antiquarian Remains in Bihar (Patna-1963). 12 Samavayanga, p. 6. 18 Aupapatika Sutra, p. 10ff. 14 Sinha, A. K., Jaina Shrines in Bhagalpur, Jain Antiquary, Vol. 36 (Arrah
1983), pp. 22-23.