Tulsi Prajna 1975 07

SR No.: 524503
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahavir Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 116
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 7 MB

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illustrious successor the lord Mahavira, we can say with certainty that the Yaksa shrines of eastern India were his most favourite resorts. In this connexion the following words of the Master found in the Bhagavati may be reproduced here "I pass my nights in devakulas sabhās, pavās ārămas and ujjinas.” Most of the ceiyas of the Jain texts were situated in ujjánas meaning gardens. He also used to visit frequently shrines like Gunasila of Rājagrha Purpabhadra of Campā, Koşthaka of Srāvasti etc. Quite a good number of his lectures were delivered according to the Bhagavati, in the Gupaşila shrine of Rājagrha. A very vivid and useful description of the famous Yakşa shrine of Purgabhadra, situated to the north-east direction of Campā is given in the well-known Upānga text the Aupopatika.37 The description there leaves no room to doubt that, this parti. cular shrine was one of the most prominent cultural and religious centres of that celebrated city, represented as the metro. polis of Künika-Ajātasatru, the son of Srenika-Bimbisāra.
ated at Vārānasi. There is little doubt all the three Teachers Pārsva, Mahāvīra and Buddha scrupulously and carefully avoided temples dedicated to Brähmanical gods. But the cetiva-ceivas, dedicated to Yakşas, were favoured by them. In this connexion we can recall the following words spoken by Buddha to his followers in the Anguttara Niköya, 3 8 “Vajjian shrines should be revered." By Vajjian he means the famous shrines of Vaišāli and possibly also of Bhoganagara which was also situated in the Vajji country. So it seems that both Mahāvīra and Buddha had some genuine deference for Yakşa shrines, particularly of eastern Indra. Unlike Buddha, who spent the major part of his ascetic life in the luxurious Jetavana-vihara of Srävasti and the Squirrels' feeding place of Rajagrha, Mahävira, who wandered about absolutely naked. spent the major portion of his life in deserted caves and dilapidated shrines. Here we would like to draw the attention of readers to the fact that Mahavira became a Kevalin near a dilapidated shrine ( ceiya ).39
Although the Bhagavais refers to Mahāvira's visit to devakulas, very few devakulas are actually mentioned either in the Jain or Buddhist canonical texts. We have already referred to the temple of the god of Love situ
It is clear from the Vipākas. ruta 40 and dupapätika41 that Yakşas were worshipped like gods with leaves, flowers incense and sandal etc. Just like gods they were worshipped for progeny, success etc. 4 2 These shrines inva
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