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
to go to Daksinapatha for earning wealth. The horses, conveyances etc. of the caravan were ready. His father indicated to him the possible dangers and instructed him in tactful behaviour to suit an emergency. He reached Daksinapatha and camped at Soparka with an old Sresthin. In due course, he sold horses and earned enormous wealth. The traders told him that neem-leaves could secure precious stones in the Ratnadvipa, but the journey to it was full of risks. The gains of Ratnadvipa captivated the mind of Lobhadeva who proposed to Bhadrasresthin that they might sail thither for trade. The traders along with Lobhadeva started their sea voyage on an auspicious day. After a rough sea journey, they reached the Ratnadvipa. After trading profitably there, on their return journey, when their ship, full of exchange-commodities, reached the mid-sea, that avaricious Lobhadeva, fearing that Bhadrasresthin would be his partner on reaching the shore, took him to the ante-room under some pretext, cruelly, pushed him into the sea, and raised cry of accident, rather too late. He pretended to jump into the sea to meet his friend; but the sailors dissuaded. him, and that suited him well, Lobhadeva, however, floating precariously with a plank touched Taradvipa almost unconscious. The story runs further. In the story so may elements are reflected like difficulties of sea-voyage, result of demerits and something about Ratnadvipa and Taradvipa. Nothing is known about Taradvipa, Kudangadvipa and Kananadvipa.
Some more stories are found in Jaina literature about Ratnadvipa. The Punyapalcarita refers to Ratnapur. The Vasudevahindi describes the natural beauty of Simhaldvipa and its richness. The Sravaka Pratikramanasutra, sutra of Ratnashekarsuri, the Avasyakacurni of Jinadasa Gani Mahattara and Tilakamanjari of Dhanapala also refer to the Simhaladvipa.
Thus the Jaina literature presents a good picture of South East Asia and Indian Ocean and assists us in understanding the heritage of various islands.
Thus the Jain and non-Jain literature present a good picture of Development & Impact of Jainism in Asia & Asian Dwipa. REFERENCES :
Vayupurana : 18th Chapter. Udyotanasuri : Kuvalayamala, p. 69. Ibid., p. 93. Ibid., p. 173. Mahabharata : Sabhaparva : 31.65. Jinakirti and Jinaharsasuri : Uttamakumaracarita : 16th C.A.D. Mahabharata : Sabhaparva : op. cit : 51.10. Early History of India : p. 477. Mahabharata : Sabhaparva : op. cit : 20.26-27. Kuvalayamala : op. cit : p. 152. Ibid., p. 173-31. Kathasaritsagara : Taranga 54 : sloka 97. Ibid., Taranga 57, sloka 86. Ibid., Taranga : 123. Haribhadrasuri : Samaraiccakaha : Caturtha Bhava.
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