Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab

Page 183

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INTRODUCTION
obeisance to the Sasvata Caityas or permanent images of the Tirthankaras there; and exercising another he fed 1500 ascetics from his single bowl full of Kşira (milk and rice preparation). Invocation of his name. in the morning is believed even today to keep the devotee well fed, clad, provided for and free from want of every kind. The readers will learn in the next section that according to a set description all Ganadharas are said to be Mantrapradhana and Vidyapradhana or prominent in Mantras and Vidyas and that not only Gautamaswami but Sudharmäswami and Kesikumāra Sramana a spiritual descendant (of Sri Pärsvanatha) also are expressly so described. Similarly many of the 'Theras' or old Sadhus are so described at p. 32 of Sri Aupapātika Sūtra.
We have already mentioned how the sixth pontiff Sri Bhadrabāhu composed the Mantrika hymn 'Uvasaggaharam'. *
The Acharyas who may be noted next are the ninth pontiffs, Sri Susthitasüri and Sri Supratibuddhasüri (291 to 372 of Vira era). They gave to the Nirgrantha gaccha the name of the Koțika Gaccha, as they recited Sūrimantra a crore (Koti) times. Next Acharya in the main line was Indradinnasüri who died about 421 Va era. Priyagranthisüri was his co-pupil. In Pattävali and commentaries on Sri Kalpasūtra an annecdote is related about him that he recited Mantra on Väsa (scented powder)
Muni Srl Punyavijayaji in his recent article in the Silver Jubilee issue of Sri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya considers the hymn to be by a later Bhadrabahu, of the Sixth century of the Vikrama era, probably a brother of the astrologer Varahamihira. He has however not shown therein that the knowledge of Mantra or Nimitta was in any way inconsistent with the knowledge of 14 Purvas of the Śrutakevali Bhadrabahu, the sixth pontiff. We have shown above that Nimitta was a part of the ninth Purva and Vidyas and Mantras of the tenth Purva. Niśitha is admitted to be by the 1st Bhadrabahu and was extracted by him from the ninth Purva which also comprised Nimitta. Niśitha itself refers in its 13th Uddeśa to Vidyas Mantra and Nimitta. Sthulabhadra, the pupil of the 1st Bhadrabahu, while studying the tenth Purva employed a Vidya and assumed the form of a lion and was taken to task by his preceptor for such wanton employment of Vidya. This shows that the 1st Bhadrabāhu knew Nimitta, Mantras and Vidyas and there is nothing against his having composed the hymn 'Uvasaggaharam."
*