________________
316
A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
Through mānasi-vijjal one could acquire any object as desired by him. Păsatthas were usually supposed to have been versed in this charm. Thambhini-vijja: was another power which could stupify the mind of a person and also caused the magical arresting of any feeling or force. This power was used by the Jaina monks to suppress the forces of water, fire or air or in order to protect themselves from thieves or wild beasts.* A Jaina monk is described to have acquired sweet meats from a layman by stupifying his mind by this power." The monk possessed of the uvasämana-laddhi was supposed to be capable of pacifying an angry king. 6
Gaddabhi-vijjā is mentioned as another spell which was accomplished by king Gaddabhilla of Ujjayinî.' In this spell a vāṇamamtari assumed the form of a female donkey and by listening her braying the forces of the enemy were overpowered with grief, vomitted blood, lost their senses and fell on the ground.
Padavijjā8 was another power by dint of which Ajja Vairasāmi is mentioned to have protected the samgha during the severe famine which broke in Uttarāpatha in his time. Gori, gāṁdharīlo and mātanga-vijja were the other powers which were highly despised by the people because of the filthy process which underlied their acquisition. But once acquired
1. Amacht OTTH #otal faasiu G Fatifa H NG. 1, p. 139. 2. Ibid. 3. vtafor face fait 551_NC. 1, p. 164. 4. NO. 1, p. 164. 5. NC. 3, p. 422. 6. CHTAUDIT HYUuit at HG a ana trui 5aatfa_NC. 1, p. 140. 7. NC. 3, p. 59. 8. NO. 1, p. 21. 9. NC. 4, p. 15. Gori and Gandhari are mentioned as two of the four
important spells in the Avasyaka Cūrni (p. 161) and Brh. Vr. (1, 2502); Gori and Gandhari vijja have been mentioned in the Mahābhārata
also (Aranyaka Parva, 221, verses 1-77). 10. Gandhāri is mentioned as a charm possessed by the Gandharvas.
Süyagadāinga ( Trans. by Jacobi, SBE., Vol. XLV, p. 367 ).
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
