Indian Antiquary Vol 27

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 55

FEBRUARY, 1998.)
A LEGEND OF THE JAINA STUPA AT MATHURA.
creepers, and called Bhûtaramaga after obtaining permission to take possession. By their study, performance of austerities, quietism and other virtues they gaiued the favour of the guardian goddess of the garden, Kubêra. Thereupon she appeared ut night and said, "Wor. shipful sirs, I am exceedingly pleased by your virtues ; choose therefore * boon.' They answered, “We are devoid of worldly attachment and do not ask for anything. Then they preached the law to her and made her a lay-hearer. Once on the night of the eighth day of the bright half of Karttika the excellent ascetics brule farewell to Kuberá as to their hostessil in this way, 'O lay-woman, be firm in correct conduct and diligent in honouring and worshipping the Jinas! Having kept the four-monthly retreat, we shall wander during the present com. bination of the stars to another place in order to perform the concluding ceremony.' She said, full of regret, Worshipful sirs, why do you not always remain in this garden?' The saints replied, .The abode of monks, birds, bee-swarms and herds of cows is not fixed, nor is that of the nutnmnal clouds.' Thereupon she remarked, "If it is so, then tell me of some religious work that I may accomplish it; not without result is the intercourse with the gods. The saints spake, If tliou art very eager, take us together with the congregation to mount Meru and let us worship the Chaityas. She answered, 'I am ready to make you two worship the rods there. But if the congregation of Mathura is made to go, the horetical gods will perhaps raise obstacles on the way. The saints replied, We have seen mount Meru through the power of the sacred books. If thou hast not power to take the congregation, then it is no use that we two should go there.' Then the goddess became ashamed and said, If it is so, I will cause to be built a Mêru-temple, adorned with statues, you can worship there together with the congregation. When the saints agreed, the goddess during the night caused to be erected a Stúpa, fashioned of gold, inlaid with precious stones, surrounded by inany deities, adorned with archies, flags and garlands, carrying three parasols on its sunimit and beautitied with three bands.13 On each band were in all the four directions images of five-coloured precious stones and the image of the glorious lord Supârsta had been set up as the chief one. When the people awoke in the morning, they saw the Stûpa and began to quarrel. Some said, “This is divine Svayambhû who has the serpent Vasuki for his emblem.' Others asserted, “This is Narayana, extended on the serpent) 'Sêsha, his couch. Thus there was a disagreement with respect to Brabmn, the lord Nara, the Sun, the Moon and other (deities). The Bauddhas said, * This is a Stúpa, but (the image represents) the lord of the Buddhns.' Then impartial people spoke, Don't quarrel. This (monument) has been made by a god; hence eren be will solve the doubt. Let each of you paint his god on a piece of cloth and come together with his congregation. Whose god it may be, even his cloth(-picture) alone will remain, the god will make the cloths of the others disappear.' But the Jaina congregation painted a cloth(picture of the lord Supârsra. Then all the sectarians painted cloth(-pictures), ench of his god worshipped them with their congregations and stood singing on the night of the ninth (day) At midnight arose a mighty wind, carrying along leaves, gravel and stones. It destroyed all the cloth(-pictures) and took them away. Before its roar, which sounded like that at the destruction of the world, the people fled in all directions. Alone the cloth(-picture) of Sûrârgra remained. The people were astonished (and said). This is the divine Arhat.' That cloth (-picture) became resplendent in the whole town. A cloth(-picture) procession was instituted. Then the ablations of the Stupa) began. To the Jaina laymen, who quarrelled about the first ablution, the old men (said), 'He whose name, (written) on one of many) name-marked Bally, first comes into the hand of a virgin, shall perform the first' ablution, be he poor or rich.' This decision was given on the night of the tenth (of Karttika). Then on the night of the eleventh, holding vessels in their hands, they washed (the Stûpa) with milk, sour milk, ghi, saffron, sandal and so forth out of thousands of vessels. The gods, remaining hidden, took
11 This transition has been suggested to me by Prof. Jacobi. 11 The Meru-temple is described in the Rrihtaarihito, 55, 20.
13 Compare with this description the Jaina Stupa figured on the plate opposite Pp. 314, 321, Epigraphia Indica, Vol. II., as well as that in the acts du sixième Congres I. O., Vol. IIL 2, opposite p. 142.