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INTRODUCTION
of Vidyas mentioned at various places in Vasudevahindi see appendix IV, 74, at p. 51 Vasudeva hindi Part II. It also mentions Mahārohini Prjnapti, Mahājwālā Mānavi and Kāli besides Gauri and Gāndhāri, mentioned above who are amongst the 16 Jain Mahavidyās.
JWALAMĂLINI AND DIGAMBARA JAIN MANTRIKAS
We have already stated that according to Vasudevahindi the most powerful Vidyā is Mahājwāla alias Mahājwālini alias Jwālāmālinī. Vidyādharas accomplished in this Vidyā are there described to be always victorious over their opponents who may be accomplished in other Vidyās. This is, perhaps, the reason why this Vidyādevī, who is also the attendant deity-Sásandevī of the eighth Tirthařkara Sri Candraprabha, is popularly worshipped and has independent Mantrakalpas. The oldest Mantrakalpa available of Sri Jwālāmālini alias Jwālini is of Sri Helācārya alias Elācārya a Digambara Acharya and a Māntrika of great repute. He has also composed a hymn in praise of the deity. There is another Kalpa by Sri Indranandi, also a Digambara Jain Achārya, based upon the said old Kalpa of Sri Helācārya. Sri Mallisenasūri, author of the present work-Sri Bhairava Padmavati kalpa has included in his “Vidyānusāsana", an abridged Jwālāmālini Kalpa and has also composed an independent Mantra-Kalpa of this deity. We may note here that according to the Digambara tradition famous Mantrasiddhas began with Sri Pūjyapāda (6th century Vikrama era) followed by the said Sri Helācārya (of Drāvida Sangha) who flourished circa 9th century Vikrama era and Sri Indranandi (of Drāvida Sangha) who flourished circa 996 Vikrama era i.e. Saka 861. Then came the author of the present work Sri Mallişeņasūri who was followed by Sri Subhacandrācārya, author of Jnānārņava, Bhattāraka Sri Aristanemi and Bhattāraka Sri Subhacandra (circa s.y.1608), who was a pupil of the famous Bhattāraka Jnānabhūṣaṇa. Sri Ariştanemi wrote Sri Sridevi Kalpa and Sri Subhacandra wrote Sri Ambikākalpa. There have been others also of lesser note who need not be mentioned here.x
* Bhattāraka Simhanandi (circa 16th century Vikrama era) wrote 'Namaskāra-Mantra
