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Jainism in Mathurā
like Brhat-Katha-Kośa of Harisena (AD 932), five Jaina stūpas were erected in this city.103 The Paharpur Copper-Plate dated in the Gupta year 159 (AD 478) contains the term pañcastūpa-nikāya, which is an expression connected with the Jainas.104 It has been held that the term pañca-stūpa-nikāya or pañcastūpānvaya is connected with Mathurā. 105 In his work Jambūsvāmī-caritra, Rajmalla (vs 1632) refers to the repair of Mathurā stūpas. 106 On the basis of these references U.P. Shah opines that five Jaina stūpas existed in and around Mathurā, the oldest and most famous being the stūpa called devanirmita, i.e., built by gods.107
Archaeological material excavated from Kankālī Tīlā also lends support to the view that more than one Jaina stūpa existed at Mathurā. There are many representations of a stūpa on the antiquities discovered at Mathurā. 108 Debala Mitra is of the view that the reliefs and dismembered stones of gateways and railings indicate that probably more than one stūpa existed at Kankālī ļīlā, or a single stūpa underwent restorations and embellishments at frequent intervals. 109 Literary and archaeological evidence, thus, points to the existence of more than one Jaina stūpa at Mathurā. But only a single stūpa seems to have been built at Kankālī Tīlā. It was called devanirmita. It appears to have remained in existence for more than 1500 years. It was this stūpa which underwent restorations and embellishments from time to time.
According to Jinaprabha Sūri, the stūpa at Mathurā was built in honour of Supārsva, the seventh tīrthařkara. This view appears to be incorrect. The Jaina inscriptions excavated from Kankālī mound do not contain reference to Supārsvanātha. 110 The Digambara tradition also does not specify this stūpa as
103. SIJA, p. 63 and fn 1; JAA, I, p. 54 fn 1. 104. EI, XX, pp. 59-64. 105. Introduction to Harivaṁsa, vol. I, pp. 20 ff, cited in SIJA, p. 63 fn 4. 106. SIJA, p. 63. 107. Ibid. 108. JAA, I, pp. 54ff and Plates. 109. Ibid., p. 54. 110. EI, X, Appendix, Lüders List, pp. 2 ff; SIJA, p. 12 fn. 1.
