Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

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

Page 60

Aspects of Brahmanıcal Influence on the Jain Mythology
sacrifice and the goats, when sacrificed, appeared as imps and goblins who had sexual intercourse with Gandhārl who brought forth a lump of flesh The lump was divided into a hundred parts and each piece was placed on a cotton-pad Those pieces of flesh later on developed into the formidable Kaurava-brothers headed by Duryodhana 110
As to the above-cited fantastic account, we could not find any trace of it in the traditional works, although the later part of the fable has some semblance of the Mahābhāratalll account of the birth of the flaurava brothers Under the circumstances, at may be taken as an instance of Subhacandra's concoction with a mouve to paint the other tradition in the blackest colour.
A comparative study, however, reveals that Subhacandra has drawn upon the works of his predecessors to a great extent. And instances are not wanting which show even verbal borrowiogs from the Harivamšaputānall2 of Jinasena, the Mahapurānall3 of Jinasena-Gunabhadra and the Pandavacarita of Deva
110 SPP, 2 48-53a 111 Opc day qucen Gandhari rcccived sagc Vsasa with due respect. The sage
granted her a boon Shc chose to be the mother of a hundred sons After two years she produced a lump of flesh which sage Vyasa divided into a hundred and ope picCCS Each piece was kept in a separate busin filled with ghcc Now, after the cxpiry of full two years, Duryo
drana, his brothers and a sister were born, MBh 1 114 7-41 112 JHc 45 119-120 and SPP, 15 36-37 113 CEGLÁTTU facra afanų ! न्यायमार्ग समुल्लङ्घ्य वृथा तत् किं विनागये ।।
IP 44 50 and comp दुष्प्राप तत्त्वया पुस्भि पुरुपायंत्रय महद । मजित न्यायमुल्लच्य क्या तकि विनाशये ॥
-SPP 3 76 Also comp AP, 1311 and SPC, 3 130, MP, 45 61-55 and SPC, 3 145. 49, HP. 45 59 and SPG, 3149.