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ANTIQUITY OF JAIN MANTRAS GHANTIKA YAKSA
285
Pithika Bhāṣya v. 146 refers to miraculous works which the commentary interprets as Mahāparijñā, Aruņopapāta etc. Pithikā Bhāṣya v. 291 mentions the incident of a Vidyadhara invoking a Vidya of which a word or two were forgotten by him and how Prince Abhaya by his 'Padānusari' power supplied the same and acquired from the Vidyadhara the Vidya in return. Bhāṣya I, v. 1009 mentions as an illustration Sadhana of Vetāla and its dangers when not properly performed. Bhāṣya I vv. 1308-1314 we have already referred to as describing Kautuka, Bhutikarma etc. and showing how and when a person employing the same as well as Vidya and Mantra become 'Ārādhaka' and acquires Karma which would make him high-born in the next life.
GHANTIKA YAKŞA AND GHANTAKARNA
Bhāṣya I, v. 1312 (pp. 403-404) refers to Ghantika Yakṣa who may probably be the same as Vira Ghaṇṭākarṇa. Tha Mantra of Ghaṇṭakarna styled Ghaṇṭādi Vidya is given after vv. 10-12 Ch. VI, Vidyānusāsana and also in the commentary on v. 1 of Namiuņa Stava. + As some are under the erroneous impression that Ghaṇṭākarna is a Buddhist deity we may note that Agni-Purāņa Adh. 50 vv. 41-42* describe his Dhyana with eighteen arms. He is therein described as destroyer of diseases and particularly Visfoṭaka-tumours or small-pox as is mentioned in his famous Mantra. The ancient lexicographer and
घंटाकर्ण महावीर सर्वभूतहिते रतः । उपसर्गभयं घोरं रक्षरक्ष महाबल स्वाहा ॥ + 3 घंटाकर्ण महावीर सर्वव्याधिविनाशक । विस्फोटकभये प्राप्ते रक्षरक्ष महाबल स्वाहा ॥ * घण्टाकर्णोऽष्टादशदोः पापरोगं विदारयन् । वज्रा सिदण्डचक्रेषुमुसलाङ्कुशमुद्गरान् ||४१|| दक्षिणे तर्जनीखेटं शक्तिं मुण्डं च पाशकम् । चाप घटांकुठारं च द्वाभ्यां चैव त्रिशूलकम् ।
घण्टामालाकुलो देवो विस्फोटक विमर्दनः || ४२ || अग्निपुराण, अ० ५० ।
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