Aapta Mimansa

Author(s): Saratchandra Ghoshal
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 20

ĀPTA-MIMĀMSĀ
or Canara) full of heroes and learned men; and I am moving about like a tiger for discourse.")
Edward P. Rice says: "He (Samatabhadra) was a brilliant disputant and a great preacher of the Jaina religion throughout India. ...It was the custom in those days, alluded to by Fa Hian (400) and Hiun Sang (630), for a drum to be fixed in a public place in the city and any learned man, wishing to propogate a doctrine or prove his erudition and skill in debate, would strike it by way of challenge or disputation. ...Samantabhadra made full use of this custom and powerfully maintained the Jaina doctrine of Syādvāda”. M.S. Rāmsvāmi Ayangar in his 'Studies in South Indian Jainism' has also mentioned : "It is evident that he (Samantabhadra) was a great Jaina missionary who tried to spread far and wide Jaina doctrines and morals; and that he met with no opposition from other sects, wherever he went.” Though, in our opinion, Samatabhadra himself could not have made a boast of his prowess, as alleged by Nemidatta, we have no hestitation to accept that he preached and propogated the principles of Jainism by visiting many places throughout India. That he defeated those who came to discuss with him, is established by numerous references in Jaina works and Inscriptions.?
Nothing more in detail has yet been ascertained regarding the life of Samantabhadra. 1. “पूर्वं पाटलिपुत्रमध्यनगरे भेरी मया ताडिता
पश्चान्मालवसिन्धुढक्कविषये काञ्चीपुरे वैदिशे। प्राप्तोऽहं करहाटकं बहुभटं विद्योत्कटं संकटं वादार्थी विचराम्यहं नरपते शार्दूलविक्रीडितम् ।।" The metre of this verse in Sanskrit prosody is known as Sārdūlavikridita (Stremifashisa). So the last word is significant in
convenying a double sense. 2. "Tatiana ART: 154: " Adipurāņa by Jinasena.
"halfefellitud erita:” Varāngacharita by Vardhamāna-sūri. "calfcarcasa 4064-0ft: 1" Hanumachcharita by Brahma Ajit. “जयन्ति वाग्वज्रनिपातपाटितप्रतीपराद्धान्तमहीध्रकोटयः।” Gadya-chintamani
by Vādibha Simha