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Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
....Gariyasi....Srinagarim nrupam//104//
Jirne sri-Vijayesasya vinivarya Sudhamayam/ .......Prakaro yena karitam//105//
Sabhayam Vijayayesasya samipe ca vinirmame /
......Prasadavasokesvara sajnitau//106// (First Taranga)
The king Asoka first freed himself from sins and then embraced the doctrine of Jina. He built numerous stupas and caityas at Suskaletra and Vitastatra. He even constructed the shrine known as Dharmaranya Vihara, the height of which was beyond one's imagination. He built the town Srinagari where 96 lakhs wealthy merchants were situated. As per Kalhan's account Emperor Asoka even eracted an enclosure to old shrines and renovated (Jirnoddhara) the vijayesvara temple. He erected two new temples known as Asokesvara in the premises. The queen of Asoka- Isanadevi constructed a Matra-cakra at the entrance of Kasmir state. After giving above data of king Asoka, Kalhana stopped talking about his Jaina faith so it seems that Asoka embraced Buddhism in his later life.
The poet come historian Kalhan?a described about the rule of Meghvahana in Kasmira as a strong but pious ruler. The king prohibited killing of animals, also in sacrifices. His court constructed many Viharas. Poet Kalhan?a also relates him a 'Digavijaya' or conquest of the world. Even Meghavahana imposed prohibition of killing of animals in his ruling area including Lanka. Kalhana has also described his spiritual greatness and supernatural power which he acquired. The king's wife Amratprabha built Viharas and Stupas in Kasmira. This king Meghavahana might be in relation with King Kharvel of Odissa or Kharwel himself as he also calls Meghavahana and 'Digvijayi' in an inscription.
The city Srinagar has the natural SAKTIPITHA of Sarasvati, the preciding deity of Kasmir. The place where Maha Sindhu/Madhumati and Kisanganga mangled and the hidden Sarasvati current passes produce powerful magnetic field. This place has tremendous power as all the currents are mangled near their sources. She is represented by a Svayambhu Sricakra. Here natural vertical hills form triangles of Sriyantra. The city derives her name from this Sri Pithika. The Yogis or Sadhus or laymen whoever meditate here get blessings from Sarada. She is called as Sarika, Jagadambik?, Bhagavati, Tripurabheravi etc. These all synonyms for deity Sarada are available in Jaina Manuscripts.
At Patana's Granth Bhandar in a Manuscript she is addressed as Kasmirpurva siniNamaste Saradadevi Kasmirpurvasini //
Vastupala the Mantri of king Virdhavala adores the deity with a Stotra with her 108 names
Devamataksaya Calva Nitya Tripurbheravi //
In Sarasvati Satnamastava she is adored with names like
Suvarna Shonavarna ca Suvvari Sursundari // Shaktistusha Sarika ca sevya Srihi Sujanarcita/ Laksmivijay in 1762 Vikram Samvat
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