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ANTIQUITY OF JAIN MANTRAS: VIDYADEVIS AND OTHER VIDYADHARAS 259
by various Achāryas and laymen for the fulfilment of the objects of the Sangha. We have seen how Priyagranthisūri invoked her and succeeded in impressing the Jain doctrine of Ahimsā on the Brahmaņas intent on the sacrifice of a goat. Māndevasūri, different from the author of Laghuśānti, once forgot the text of Sūrimantra and learnt the same again by invoking Ambikā. The famous Haribhadrasūri was aided by Sri Ambika * when he defeated the Buddhists who were assisted their patron-deity Tārā in the debate. Bappabhattisūri was aided by Sri Ambikā in his dispute with the Digambaras regarding precedence in worship at Girnar. It is unnecessary to multiply instances of worship of Sri
Ambikā amongst Jains in the ancient times. We may conveniently mention here that this fact is borne out by the poetic literature consisting of hymns viz. Caturviņšati Stotras and Stutis. We would specifically mention Caturviņsatikā Stutis by Sri Bappabhattisūri, Srī Sobhanamuni and Nyāyavisārada Sri Yasovijayaji. All the three have verses in praise of Sarsvatī, Vidyādevis and also in praise of Sri Ambikā although she is not a Vidyādevi but is a Sāsandevī particularly an attendant deity of Sri Neminātha. As the Stutis relate to the twenty-four Tirthankaras verses in praise of 24 Sāsandevis would have been quite appropriate. But the fact that Vidyādevīs are praised instead shows the ancient character of their worship and also of Māntric worship. Bappabhattisūri has twice praised Vairoțyā,x the chief queen of Dharanendra and Kapardiyaksa. In his times they must have been amongst Māntric deites usually worshipped. Sobhanamuni has additionally praised Sāntidevatā and Brahmasāntiyakşa (See also p. 7 & p. 8 Nirvānakalikā), who must have been therefore amongst the Mantric deities commonly worshipped in his times. Sri Yasovijayaji has several
* See Sri Haribhadrasūri's commentary on Avaśyakasūtra p. 411 for mention of Ambă and other deities. See also foot-note on page 204 ante. * We have Vairoțyāstava of much earlier date by Aryanandila wherein both Sri Vairoțya and Sri Padmăvati are described as queens of Sri Dharanendra. See also p. 36 & p. 38 Nirvāņakalikā.
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