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SUBSEQUENT MANTRIKAS : SRI JINAPRABHASURI
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the relations between the said Nizam-ud-din and Ghiy suddin Tughlag having been strained Nasir-ud-din might not have been on the best of terms with Sultan Mahomed Tughlaq especially because the latter was not interested in the propagation of the Islamic religion. This fact as well as the influence exercised by the Jains over him are borne out by the following extract from an article by Dr. A. B. M. Habibullah published in the issue of the 'Sunday Standard' dated 18th August 1940 A. D.
"Not interested in the propagation of the Islamic religion, his belief in which was known to be shaky, he specially favoured the Hindu on a number of occasions. And a writer evidently belonging to the opposition, bitterly laments that the Sultan destroyed the best Mussalmans in India and replaced them by the 'infidels' whom he consistently patronised. Contemporary writers accuse him of not only inclining towards atheism but also to excessive intercourse with Hindu jogis and Brahmans; while evidence has come down to us, in the form of a Jaina Manuscript, of his active patronage extended to a distinguished Jain scholar named Simhakirti. *"
Sri Jinaprabhasūri at the request of Sultan Mahomed also cured Sultānā Bālāde who was possessed by an evil spirit invoking Kșetrapāla Meghanāda for the purpose. He also secured control over sixty four Yoginis + (powerful female spirits) and obtained a boon from them that
According to Firishta Mahomed Tughlaq desired that Shaikh Nasir-ud-din Chiragh -e-Delhi should attend upon him for personal service viz. dressing him, and imprisoned him on his refusal to do so and released him only when he agreed to perform the said service. * Perhaps Śri Jinasimhasūri is meant by this name. He was the preceptor of Sri Jinaprabhas īri who acquired considerable influence over Sultan Mahomed Tughlaq, The mistake might be due to the mistranslation of the Sanskrit manuscript due to which preceptor's name is given and the pupil's name is omitted. Epigraphia Carnatica Vol.88, pp. 377-78, inscription No. 46 however mentions Bhattāraka Simhakirti who was connected with Sultan Mahomed of Delhi. + The following are the names of sixty four yoginis given by Sri Jinaprabhasūri in his famous Vidhiprapă (composed in S. Y. 1363) a work on rituals for laymen and monks at pp. 116-117:
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