Book Title: Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra
Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
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ANTIQUITY OF JAIN MANTRAS:ANTIQUITY OF PANCAPARAMESTI MANTRA 289
Sun and the Vaimānika Indras Sakra and Išāna were disciples of Sri Pārsvanātha in their previous life. Naturally, therefore, when invocation is with the name of Sri Pārsvanātha these highly placed powerful deities respond promptly and effectively aid and grant the desires of such worshippers. This also accounts for the popularity of the worship of Dharanendra and Padmavati amongst Jains as they are the principal attendant deities of Sri Pārsvanātha. We may add here that Sri Pārsvanātha is worshipped at various places under hundreds of different attributes. Some of them are mentioned at p. 86 Vividhatirthakalpa, line 10 onwards. The several Kalpas of Sri Pārsvanātha included in Vividhatirthakalpa also show the popularity of his worship. The connection of Sri Pārsvanātha with the ancient Jain Stūpa at Mathura also points to the same fact.*
It is significant that Mānadevasūri, the author of the hymn Laghusānti, although invoking Sri Sāntinātha, the sixteenth Tīrthankara, for securing peace and tranquility incorporates therein the Mantra of Sri Pārsvanātha as propounded by Kamatha (an attendant deity of Sri Pārsvanātha) called Mantrādhirāja. Similarly Vādivetāla Sri Sāntisüri in his hymn named Brhat Santi invokes Sri Pārsvanatha thus: 9 FAIETI I Faigi targaret FTIET II' Similarly in Indranandi's Jvālinimata (Mantra Kalpa of the attendant deity of the 8th Tirthankara Sri Candraprabha), III Adh., vv. 58, 59 it is stated that whatever a Māntrika does, should be in the name of 'Pārsva Jina' and that whatever he utters saying 'Pārsva Jināya' becomes Mantra. This shows with what great regard Mantrikas viewed invocation with the name of 'Sri Pārsva'. It is therefore unnecessary to dilate further on this point.
ANTIQUITY OF PAŅCAPARAMEŞTI MANTRA We shall note below some inscriptional proof as to the antiquity
* Epigraphia Indica II, Insn. XXIX p. 207 is an inscription on the image of Sri Párśva as is actually mentioned therein. It is a proof of the ancient and popular character of the worship of Sri Pārsva.
