Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

Author(s): Shaktidhar Jha
Publisher: Bharat Bharti Bhandar

Page 48

Aspects of Brahmanical Influence on the Jain Mythology
Vama-(deva), Tripuraharı, Hara, Samkara, Rudra, Bhava, Mahādeva and Mahākāla "7
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It is worthy of note that like Jinasena, Puspadanta also culogizes the Jina as the eight-formed god, with the only vari ation that instead of designating the Saviour as Aştamūrlı, the latter refers to him as Aştānga-Maheśvara (the great God with eight limbs) But with regard to the enumeration of the eight forms, Puspadanta shows an element of straightforwardness which is wanting in Jinasena who has referred to the eight manifestations in a somewhat circumlocutory way The eight limbs as mentioned by Puspadanta arees (1) Gagana (space), (2) Hutafana (fire), (3) Candra (moon), (4) Ravr (sun), (5) Finla (Atman soul), (6) Maht (earth), (7) Maruta (Air) and (8) Salila (water). It is remarkable that Puspadanta reckons Jivta in place of the usual Dikşıta Brahmana or Yajamāna or Tajvan as one of the eight forms, for, this is suggestive of Puspadanta's recognition of that universal truth which is called Atman 69
Among the other names arrogated to the Jina the term Adı-Varaha is of especial significance, for, with it is associated the mythical phenomenon of Earth having been lifted from the depth of the great ocean by Brahmā-Nārāyana in the form of the Primeval Boar (Adi-Varaha), also styled Tajña-Varaha, Maha-Varaha" etc. The author, undoubtedly keeping in mind
67 For all these names and titles see Ibid X 5 1-8 and compare Rāmā 6 120 3, MBb 1 65 21a, 7 202 11-16f
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जय गयण हुयासरण चद रवि जीवय महि मारुय सलिल ।
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प्रट्ठगमहेसर जय... -PMP, X 5 19-20 Compare Hv 3 85 20b-21 and note 51 (ante) श्रात्मा तस्याष्टमी मूर्तिर्यजमानाह्वया परा ।
दीक्षित ब्राह्मण प्राहुरात्मानश्च मुनीश्वरा ॥
-Lingap 2 12 43b-44a, quoted in Matsya Purana-A Study, p 250 70 श्राईवराह उद्धरियखोरिण ।
-PMP X. 5 10
71 MBh III 272 49-55, VI 05 52v Hv 1 41 28-38, 3 33 1-7, 8 34 20-48 Vayup 02-27 Rămă 2 110 3-4 (ascribing the Boar-incarnation to Brahma).
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