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Pārsvanātha and Vardhamana Mahāvīra
of West Bengal also.96 The 'Sarākas”97 of Singhabhuma, Manbhuma and Lohardaga in the Ranchi district of Bihar still worship him.98 They belong to the line of ancient Jaina śrāvakas, but have embraced Hinduism.98 Some of them still profess Jainism. The Sarākas of Manbhuma are Hindus; but they are strict vegetarians.100 They drink filtered water and do not take meals after dusk. 101
The discovery of images of Pārsvanātha in Bengal and Bihar is evidence of his popularity in these regions. It is an index of his popularity that Samet Sikhara, which stands in the Hazaribagh district of Bihar, is now called Pārsvanātha Hill. For unknown reasons Pārsvanātha seems to be more popular than other tirthamkaras in West Bengal.102 Apparently, the Bengalis have identified Jainism with Pārsvanātha.103 This confusion can be a product of their ignorance; it can also be the outcome of a persistent tradition.104 Pārsvanātha was a member of the royal family of Kāsi or Benares. He was son-in-law of the king of Pāñcāla or Kosala. Therefore, Jainism must have enjoyed some royal patronage in Pārsva's time.105 Pārsvanātha seems to have enjoyed a large following. According to the Kalpasūtra, his followers consisted of 16,000 monks, 38,000 nuns, 164,000 laymen and 327,000 laywomen.106
96. JSS, p. 12. 97. The word 'Sarāka'appears to be Apabhramsa of the word śrävaka, which is a typical word
in Jainism. See JSS, p. 12 fn. 14. 98. Ibid., p. 12. 99. Ibid. 100. Ibid. 101. Ibid. 102. CHAI, III, p. 275 fn. 1. 103. Ibid. 104. Ibid. 105. HJM, p. 61. 106. Ibid.; JSS, p. 14.
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