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History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā
up meat-eating on some days in the year. 307 Akbar also came in contact with Jaina ācāryas like Jinacandra,308 Siddhicandra, 309 Bhānucandra, 310 śānticandra, Vijayasena Sūri, Jayasoma Upādhyāya,311 etc. Akbar was so deeply influenced by the teachings of the Jaina monks that he gave up hunting, of which he was extremely fond of, almost gave up meat-eating and prohibited slaughter of animals and birds for about six months in the year.312 Slaughter of animals and birds on prohibited days meant capital punishment in Akbar's time. 313 Akbar issued firmans to the governors of all provinces of the Mughal empire in India and local officials to strictly enforce the orders issued by him.314
In 1582, Akbar promulgated a religion named Din-i-Ilahi; meat-eating was almost prohibited for the members of Din-i-Ilahi; they were also prohibited from the use of vessels belonging to perfessionals like butchers and fishermen.315 In 1591, Akbar invited the renowned Jaina ācārya Jinacandra Süri to his court.316 Jinacandra Sūri reached Lahore in 1591, and was cordially received by Akbar in that city317 Jinacandra explained the doctrines of Jainism to Akbar. Akbar was delighted and bestowed the title yugapradhan on Jinacandra Sūri.318 Jinacandra spent cäturmāsa at Lahore and accompanied Akbar during the latter's visit to Kashmir in 1592.319 Both Hīravijaya Sūri and
307. A.L. Srivastava, op. cit., p. 468. 308. HJM, p. 135; A.L. Srivastava, op. cit., p. 468. 309. Ibid.; S.R. Sharma, op. cit., p. 280. 310. Ibid., ibid.; A.L. Srivastava, op. cit., p. 468. 311. A.L. Srivastava, op. cit., p. 468. 312. Ibid., p. 469. 313. Ibid. 314. Ibid. 315. Ibid., pp. 465-6. 316. Ibid., p. 468. 317. Ibid. 318. Ibid. 319. Ibid.
