Book Title: Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra
Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
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of a Naimittika named Utpala who though a Pārsvapatya had turned a 'Parivrājaka' or non-Jain ascetic. He interpreted, unasked, to Sri Mahāvīra, his dreams. This he did before Sri Mahāvīra became omniscient and composed or directed to be composed the 12 Angas. The Nimitta literature known to him therefore was portion of the Purva literature coming down traditionally from Sri Parsvanatha. There was also a class of professional Naimittikas or diviners even in the time of Sri Mahavira as can be inferred from the fact that Sri Siddhartha, the father of Sri Mahavira, consulted and rewarded the Svapnapāthakas, as also from the fact that Naimittikas like Sivadatta used to be similarly consulted by the people. (See pp. 288-289 Avasyakacurni on V. 479 of Niryukti). Pārsvapatyas who did not accept the reforms of Sri Mahavira and continued to enjoy liberties or turned Parivrājakas and the subsequent Sarūpikas and Siddhaputras * were not professional diviners but were very proficient in that science and utilized their knowledge as occasion required. They were however held in very great esteem by the people as their prophecies were considered to be infallible.
How the Mantric tradition was carried on by Caityavasi Sadhus and in comparatively modern times by Yatis will be seen further on. LAX PRACTICES CONTRIBUTING TO THE RISE OF CAITYAVĀSIS
INTRODUCTION
We may however state that some of the principal characteristics of the 'Caityavasis' can be traced back to very old times. They may be noted in such old works as Avasyaka Niryukti (V. 1107, VV. 1175, 1179-81) to be prevalent amongst some of the Sadhus of the times
× Kṣemankaragani, a pupil of Devasundarasuri, of the 15th century of the Vikrama era, mentions in his Satpuruşacaritra (P. 10ff.) a Siddhaputra who derives his origin from Cakravarti Bharata, a son of Rṣabhadeva the 1st Tirthankara, and says that these Siddhaputras were the best of Śrävakas who observed the vows of the house-holders, led a celibate life, were versed in Mantras and Vidyas and were possessed of miraculous powers and supersensual knowledge, and were noted for their unshakable faith in and zeal for Jainism.
