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An Epitome of Jainism author in Karma Kanda Gâthâ 966 to 972. Râjâ Châmurida Râya took vows of a layman from the Great Saint Ajitasena, who was a disciple of the order of Acharya Aryasena, as stated in Gâthâ 734 of Jiva Kânda. Râjâ Chåmunţa Râya constructed a beautiful Jaina Ternple now called Châmunda Râyá Basti at Chandragiri in front of Vindhyagiri at Shravana Belgola, district Hasan, Mysore, containing a beautiful image of Sri Nemi Náth to whom our author has offered obeisance on several occasions in Gommatasara.
He constructed in 983 A. C. the great and wonderful image of Sri Bahubali, called Gommața Swâmî, Gommațeśvara, “the Lord of Gommața”, after his name.
Bahubali was one of the sons of the first Tîrthamkara Rişabha Deva and ruled at Podnápore. He had a contest with his elder brother Bharata and defeated him. But he felt so distressed on this account that he renounced all temporal power and adopted an ascetic life. He practised the severest austerities. He stood unmoved for a whole year, in standing posture, in meditation, so deep and concentrated that creepers spread and entwined themselves round his legs and arms. He was the first who obtained omniscience in this Avasarpiņî cycic in Bharata Kșetra even before Lord Risabha. His unsurpassed severe austerities have been very often extolled in Jaina Shâstras. The wonderful image at Vindhyagiri represents this exemplary attitude of meditation
The grandeur of the image, as also its serene-looking and peace-inspiring presence, are well-known to all Jainas and non-Jainas who have had the good fortune of visiting it. When I visited the sacred place, I met some English men and women missionaries, who out of respect for the Holy Image took off their shoes and visited it bare feet. They also held the opinion which I have given above. The Image is about 57 feet high and still every limb and minor limb thereof is in exquisite proportion. It is impossible to convey its glory and artistic excellence by words. Any one who has the chance of seeing it personally, will easily agree with the hitherto general opinion.
This gives an answer to some critics also, who call the Jainas idolatrous. The Jainas do not worship the stone, silver, gold or diamond of which the images are made. They worship the qualities of total Renunciation of the world, the Acquisition of undisturbable harmony with the Infinite, and the Identity of the Liberated Soul with peace-everlasting, which these images represent. Also to quote Shakespeare with traduction :
"Ah me! how sweet is Jina itself possess'd,
When but Jina's shadows are so rich in joy !!* It is clear how irresistible and experientially axiomatic must have been the Peace and Guidance given by the Arhats and Omniscients, when their mere images are so potent of grace, peace and inspiration.
* Romeo & Juliet, Act V, Scene 1.
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