Jain Journal 1987 01

SR No.: 520085
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 35

Four Panca-Tirthikas from Bhagalpur
AJOY KUMAR SINHA
The Svetambara Jaina Temple, Campanagar? (a suburb of Bhagalpur town) stands upon the ruins of ancient Jaina temple site of glorious Campapuri, the capital city of Anga. The present temple was however constructed in about 1760 A.D. by the benevolent Svetambaras of Murshidabad town.? Martin Mantgomaryleft behind him a detailed account of this temple in his book. Buchanano attributed this temple to Jag Seth, banker of Murshidabad Nawab. The present temple is an example of solid masonary work and its thick round large-sized pillars reminds one of the Greco-Roman architectural style. It contains as many as fifty stone and bronze images among whom four bronze Panca-Tirthikas of great archaeological as well as religious importance have been selected by the present author for study.
The antiquity of Panca-Tirthika icons is hardly four to five hundred years old. Majority of them have been reported from the western India and some of them are housed in the museums abroad. The present author thinks that the Jainas during their golden days (circa 15th-16th century A.D.) propagated the five fold path for attaining the samyak Jñana (one of the tri-ratna) in terms of these Pañca-Tirthika icons. This may also be related to the five fold vows of the Jainas, viz noninjury, non-lying, abstinance from theft, chastity and detachment from all external and internal temptation.
The Panca-Tirthikas under discussion are beautiful examples of the mediaeval metal art of India. They are well preserved and are under worship. Five Tirthankaras are grouped together in a geometrical composition. The mula-nāyakas, in all the four icons are seated cross-legged in deep meditation. There are two standing Tirthankaras by the side of the mula-nāyaka, and on each end is a standing flywhisk-bearer in tribhanga
1 Sinha, Ajoy Kumar, 'Jaina Shrines in Bhagalpur', The Jaina Antiquary, Vol. 36
No. 2 (Arrah-1983), pp. 22-23. 2 Patil, D. R., The Antiquarian Remains in Bihar (Patna-1963), pp. 78-79. & Martin, Mantgomary, The History, Antiquities, Topography and Statistics of Eastern
India, Vol. II (London-1837), pp. 29-30. 4 Buchanan, H., An Account of the District of Bhagalpur (Patna-1839), pp. 75-76. 8 Uttaradhyayana Sutra, (Jaina Sutras translated by H. Jacobi). • Tattvartha-raja-vartika, Ch. VII, I (Sanatana Jaina Series).