Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
We also find in Jaina literature the conventional description of sea as it was visible from the top of the Vijayapuri palace. . Another motif may be referred to cult-practices and beliefs in Mantras amongst the tribes of Pulindas, kapalikas, matangas, Raksasas, Vidyadharas on hilltops and forests formed the part of Sabaravidya. This may be impact of Vidyadhara cult on Sabaravidya. The Jain temples became the centers for performance of Sadhana and for the perfection of Vidyas.
The Jain literature has a description of caravan with a large number of camels, bullocks horses ad donkeys. It is also referred that sometimes, the monks and nuns went with the caravan and become a serious cause for inviting the calamities. THE SEA-PORTS AND DVIPAS
Jain literature mentions some important sea-ports like Surpark, Bhrgukaccha, Anahilpur, Sripur, Vijaypur. There is a nice description of a Sarthavaha in the Kuvalaymala taking his caravan, or a trading expedition, from Taksasila to Surparaka which was perhaps the biggest sea-port. It is Sopara in modern days which comes in the district Thane. The eighth pillar inscription of Ashoka is found here which indicates its importance during the Mauryan period. It would have been samudrapattan of Aparanta. The Surparaka Jataka refers to its importance and describes the interesting sea-voyage of the traders. It refers to a prince name Supparaka Kumar of Bhrgukaccha. The Sabhaparava of Mahabharata5 mentions the victory of Sahadeva over it.
Bhrgukaccha was also one of the great sea-ports of Gujarat wherefrom Uttamakumar went to Sunyadvipa (Srilanka) through Motapalli sea-port in South (Uttamakumaracarit of Jinakrti and Jinaharsasuri of 16th C.A.D.).6 It comes under the territory, of Surparaka. It is Bhadonch of modern times. The Sabhaparva of Mahabharat mentions that the habitants of Bhrgukaccha went with gifts to the Rajhyasabha of Yudhisthira.7 Balim ca krtsnamadaya bharukacchanivasinah. Upaninyurmaharaja hayan gandharadesajan. The Girnar inscription of Rudradaman also refers to its importance.
Tilakpur was another sea-port of South where Bhavisyadatta and Bandhyadatta went from Hastinapur for earning the wealth. They had 500 hundred ships with them. The Bhavisayyattakaha of Dhanapal mentions that they were robbed in Tilakpur Pattan. This seaport may be identified with Tiruvankur or Tiruvanjikalam of Keral. Smith is of opinion that Tiruvanjikalam was situated on the bank of Pariyar river.
Punyapal started his journey with seven ships from Ratnapur to Srilanka via-Sripur. This Sripur is situated on the bank of Mahanadi in Raipur district. From here he went to Soparapur. Some Jaina traders also took up their journey from Viratnagar to Simhal via Sripur.
The Surasundaricarita of Dhanesvarasuri mentions that Jinadatta, the father of Ranapal borrowed some money from Manman and kept his son Rantanapal with him as mortgage. Ratnapal goes to Kalakutadvipa for earning wealth and returns the borrowed money to Manman. Then he goes to South at Basantapur and searches his father. Now this Basantapur may be identified with Varkala in Keral, which is situated at the bank of sea. As regards the Kalakutadvipa, it is mentioned in the Mahabharata 9 where its situation is shown between Kuru and Gandki river
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