________________
ANTIQUITY OF JAIN MANTRAS: PAUMACARIYAM, PADMACARITRA ETC. 265
PAUMACARIYAM,PADMACARITRA,TRISASTHISALAKÅPURUSACARITRA
AND VIDYĀS
AN
There are several references to Vidyās in Paumacariyam. It is a work composed in 530 Vīra era, i.e. 60 Vikrama era according to its colophon. Its author Vimalasūri describes himself as belonging to Nāila Kula. Now Nāila Kula is synonymous with Năila Sakha which started from Arya Nāila a pupil of Sri Vajrasena about 150 Vikrama era.* So the work may be taken to have been written about that date. Jacobi considered it to be not earlier than the 4th or 5th century A.D. Dr. Kieth, Dr. Woolner and some other scholars considered it to be of about 3rd century A.D. because of the occurrence in the work of the word Dinār and certain Greek astrological terms; but Dr. Winternitz, Dr. Leumann and other scholars consider that there is no justification for doubting the date 530 Vira era given in the colophon of the work itself.
We would draw the attention of the readers particularly to the passage occuring in the 7th Uddesa from v. 135 to v. 145. About 61 Vidyās are enumerated in the said passage. Their names generally indicate the objects achieved through them. Amongst them may be noted Prajnapti which is one of the 16 Jain Mahāvidyās and Animā and Laghimā two of the well known eight Siddhis (Astasiddhi). The flying lore is stated there to have been acquired by Rāvana, Bhānukarņa alias Kumbhakarņa as also Bibhīşaņa.
Of the Vidyās named in the said passage Prajnapti is also found in the passage from Vasudevahiņdi (p. 164) referred to above.
kalpa'; Gunanandi (circa 16th century Vikrama era) wrote Rşimandala-Yantra-Pūjā; Arhaddåsa a contemporary of Asadhara wrote Sarasvatīkalpa and Āsādhara (1235 to 1300 Vikrama era) wrote Gañadharavalaya and Pratișthăsăroddhåra alias Jinayajdakalpa'. Padmanandi (1385-1450 Vikrama era) who made an image of Sarasvati speak and Trikālya Yogi (circa 11th century) are some of the other Digambara Jain Måntrikas.
* See Viranirvāņa Samvat and Jain Kälagañană P. 123.
Jain Education International 2010_03
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
