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Development & Impact of Jainism in Madhya Pradesh
Prabhavati, Maid (Dasi) Devananda performed worship (puja) ofit. Devananda was in love with Chandrapradyota of Ujjain therefore Chandrapradyotataken out this idol with Devananda from
sindhu and took it Ujjain. When this fact came into the knowledge of king Udayan he attacked on Ujjain and taken back the Jivantswami Idol and captured Chandrapradyota.When be is going back to his state due to rainy season (chaturmasa)he stayed at Bhelsa (Vidisha). Being the follower of same religion Jain king Udayan relived Chandrapradyota who afterward installed idol in a newly constructed temple at Bhelsa.
Vidisha is quoted as a great religious centrein ancient Jain literature. It is said that Acharya Suhasti travelled in this religion. During the period of 2nd (A.D.) there is a trend of Nagapuja and worship of Yaksha-Yakshani. Three famous idols of Jain Tirthankars discovered from Durjanpur of Vidisha region
having impression of Maharajadhiraj Ramgupta and it shows that Jivantswami
in the 4th Century A.D. Jainism is flourishing in this religion. (Mahavira before renunciation)
One more reference of this period is found in the inscription (425 A.D.) of Udaigiri Cave (near Vidisha). There is a mention of installation of idol of Parshvanath. A group of Jain thirthankara idols (4th-5th Century A.D.) discovered from Seera rocks near Saleha district Panna."
4. Tejsingh Gaur, Esa Ke Purva Malwa Mem Jain Dharma, Naidunia (Indore), Daily dt.8-4-71. 5. See reference-2, P-74 Division of Jain Sangh
An event which affected the entire Jain Samgh is related with Ujjain (Avanti). At the time of Chandragupta Mourya uninimous Acharya of entire Jain Sangha Acharya Bhadrabahu visited Ujjain
Udaigiri - Tirthankara image inscribed on the wall of the cave with an Idol of Parshvanatha installed later on.
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