Four Panca Tirthikas From Bhagalpur

Author(s): Ajoy Sinha
Publisher: Ajoy Sinha

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Four Panca-Tirthikas from Bhagalpur
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ΛυΟΥ KUMAR SINIA
The Svetambara Jaina Temple, Cumpanagar' (asuburb of Bhagalpur town) stands upon the ruins of ancient Jaina temple site of glorious Campapuri, the capital city of A1.1. The present temple was however constructed in about 1760 A.D. by the benevolent Svetambaras of Murshidabad town.' Martin Muntgomary left behind him a detailed account of this temple in his book. Buchanan' attributed this temple to Jagat Seth, bunker of Murshidabad N:rivab. "The present temple is an example of solid masonary work and its thick round large-sized pillars reminds one of the Greco-Roman architectural style. It contains as many as fifty stone and bronze images among whom four bronze Pañca-Tirihikas of great archacological as well as religious importance have been selected by the present author for study,
The antiquity of Manicu-'irthika icons is hardly four to live hundred years old. Majority of them have been reported from the western Indiit and some of them are housed in the museums abroad. The present author thinks that the Jainas using their golden days (circa 1511-16th century A.D.) propagated the live fold path for attaining the samiyak Jñana' (one of the tri-ratna) in terms of these pañca-Tirthika icons. This may also be related to the live fuld vows of the Jainas, viz noninjury, non-lying, abstinance from theft, chastity and detachment from all external and internal temptation.
The Punica-Tirthikas under discussion are beautiful examples of the mediaeval inelul urt of India. They are well preserved and are under worship. Five Tirthankaras are grouped together in a geometricul composition. The mula-nāyakas, in all the four icons are seated cross-legged in deep meditation. There are two standing Tirthankaras by the side of the mala-näyaka, and on cach end is a standing Ilywhisk-bearer in tribhanga
Sinhal, Ajoy Kamr, Jain Strings in Bhagalpur. The Juin Intimary. Vol. 36
No. 2 (Arrah-1983). I. 22-2.. ! Patil, D. R., The Antiquarian Remains in Bihur (Patna-1963), pp. 78-79. • Martin, Mantgomary, The History Intiquities, Topogruphy and Sturistics of Buster
India, Vol. ll (London-1837). pp. 29-30. • Buchanan, H.; An Account of the District of Bhagalpur (Patna-1839), pp. 75-76.
Uriaradhyayania Sutru, (Jaina Sutras translated by H. Jacobi). • Tallvartha-raja-vartika, Ch. VII, I (Sanatana Jaina Series).