Comprehensive History of Jainism Volume II

Author(s): Aseem Kumar Chaterjee
Publisher: Firma KLM Pvt Ltd

Page 31

JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA
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Marwar area of Western Rajasthan, took active part in the movement against killing of animals, during the early period of the reign of Kumāra pāla,
One of the most important reforms of Kumārapāla, after he became a Jain, was to abolish the ancient custom 188 of forfeiting the property of childless persons. In the long passage from the Mahavir acárita of Hemacandra, quoted above, this particular reform of Kumārapāla has been pointedly mentioned. The play Moharāj aparājaya1s*, composed only a few years after the death of Kumārapāla186, also gives details regarding this particular reform of Kumāra pāla. In the comprehensive and the voluminous work of Somaprabhācārya called Kumārapalapratibodha186 (or more correctly187, Jinadharmapratibodha), written in the Vikrama year 1241, i.e. only some eleven years after the death of Kumāra pāla, this particular act of Kumārapāla is mentioned. Needless to say, in the later works also, this particular reform has been referred to.
Immediately after his conversion, the old king started constructing temples, dedicated to the Tirthankaras. Two magnificent temples, dedicated respectively to Pārsvanātha and Neminātha, were built, at a huge cost, in the capital Pattana. Tha temple, of Pārsvanātha, consisted of a large inner (containing the white marble icon of Lord Pārsvanātha) and 24 adjoining smaller temples, dedicated the Tirthankaras. A good description of this particular templecomplex, known as Kumāravibāra, will be found in the works of Somaprabhācārya188 and Prabhācandra189. It is mentioned also by Merutunga140. According to Prabhā. candra141, the opening ceremony of this large temple was performed by Hemacandra. This particular temple has also been mentioned by Hemacandra in his Dvyaśrāya1. The learned pupil of Hemacandra viz. Rāmacandra, wrote a grand description on this particular shrine called Kumāra. vihāraśataka118. Another pupil of Hemacandra viz. Vardhamānagani also wrote a poem, in praise of this temple called