Book Title: Comprehensive History of Jainism Volume II
Author(s): Aseem Kumar Chaterjee
Publisher: Firma KLM Pvt Ltd

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Page 176
________________ 166 COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF JAINISM on Satruñjaya, was built by Karmarāja. This is also disclosed by two epigraphs 85, from the same bill, of the same date, i.e. V.S. 1587, corresponding to 1531 A.D. Let us now discuss the religious activities of Hiravijaya (A,D. 1527-1596), probably the greatest Jain monk after Hemacandra. He belonged to the Tapā gaccha and was a pupil of Vijayadānasūri, who is known from several inscriptions 86 of the 16th century. After the death of his preceptor in 1566 A.D., Hiravijaya became the head of the Tapā gaccha. A very good number of contemporary inscriptions mention him, and refer to the installation of Jina images by him. The earliest date is supplied by an inscription or of V.S. 1617, discovered from Cambay, and the latest date of V.S, 1651, by another inscription88 of Palitana. Several works, written within fifty years of his death, record bis achievements, Here we can mention the Hirasaubhāgyakāvya8, the composition of which began in the life-time of Hīravijaya, and ended during the spiritual rule of Vijayadevasūri. It was composed by Devavimala of the Tapā gaccha, The poet Rshabhadāsa, composed in Gujarati, another work in V.S. 1685, entitled Hiravijayasūrirāsa , which was based on the earlier Sanskrit work of Devavimala. The most important event of Hiravijaya's life was his contact with Emperor Akbar, which took place, for the first time in A.D. 1582 (Vikrama 1639) and continued till 1586 A.D. An important epigraphoi, from Satruñjaya, inscribed in V.S. 1650, tells us that this great Jain saint in V.S. 1639, persuaded that great emperor to issue an edict. forbidding the slaughter of animals for six months. We are further told that, under the influence of Hiravijaya, Akbar discoutinued the old practice of confiscating the property of the childless persons. This reminds us of the similar measure, taken by Caulukya Kumāra pāla, under the guidance of Hemacandra. Akbar also set free many captives and also birds and animals. Akbar became, according to this epigraph, a pious king like Śrepika

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