Indian Antiquary Vol 31

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

Page 74

70.
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1902.
a difficult verse on a palm leaf, which he took in his hand, and traversed the earth, intending to confer the dignity of Ganadhara on any one, who should expound the stanza. At that time there was a Saiva Brahman named Gautama at the village of Gautamapur, who taught the ásástras to about 500 disciples. Devendra showed him the verse, and he was equally unable with the rest to explain its sense; but this he would not admit, and contented himself with saying, that he would not expound the stanza to the person who brought it but would readily do it to his master. Devendra challenged him to visit his master, who was, he said, but a little way remote.
Gautama, unable to retract, followed him full of shame and fury: his scholars accompanied him Devendra took them to Vardhamana Swami, in whose presence Gautama and his pupils became sensible of their ignorance and error, and were accordingly enrolled amongst his disciples. Gautama, who was a man of learning and wisdom was made Gaṇadhara by Vardhamana himself, and consequently is the chief of the Ganadharas. Parkwasena thus again disappointed, prayed next to have a heaven of his own; and the deities, compelled to obey him, at least in appearance, created one for him which was purely illusory. Devendra soon put a term to this with his thunderbolt; and Parkwasena was hurled to the earth, more humbled and enraged than ever. He therefore determined to attempt the downfall of the Jaina religion; and, with this view, he composed the Mula Sastra, the doctrines of which are, in fact, those of the Musalmans, to which Parkwasena was converted, and laboured to convert others. Besides the Mula Sastra, he composed, it is said, the Parsi Nighantu and the Maskheri Purana.
March 4th. Left the city of Subah Bihar, and thence proceeded to Bahad, foar kos. In the centre of the village are two temples of the Jainas, in which are placed fifteen images of copper, and a stone image and also the sculptured feet of Gautama Swami. On the west side of the village is a mango garden in which I found a large Bauddha image, in the Padmasana posture. There are fifteen houses of Jainas in this village.
5th. Leaving the village Bahad I went to Pavapuri, nine kos. South of the village is a large tank in which is a temple with a double wall. On the peaks of the temple is placed a gilt vase, and inside are two small feet of stone. It is said that these were made by the feet of Vardhamana Swami, who obtained salvation at this place. A bridge across the tank leads to the temple; and on the west of the tank is erected a circular platform, forty cubits in circumference, upon which are also sculptured the feet of Vardhamana Swami. Besides these remains, there is a flower garden in the village, in the centre of which is an open building called the Navaratna Mantaps. On three sides of this Mantapa are erected three Salas or Halls; each hall can accommodate about fifty persons. North of the garden is another in which is found a Vimána, or octangular car, built with chunam and bricks, of the height of a tall cocoanut tree. It is formed in three stories; the middle story is a pavilion with four pillars, where are placed two feet of Vardhamana Swami, upon a seat behind which is a Jaina image of marble; and in front of which are three images of bellmetal. On the four sides of the Vimina are bailt five Sálas or halls: around it are planted several kinds of flowers and fruit trees as plantains, limes, oranges, etc. A Swetambara Sanyasi resides in the garden, and performs the worship of the feet and images. Travellers who go on pilgrimage to Sumedha Parvata come to this village on their route and worship here. In the vicinity of this village, and in the country henceforward, the poppy is extensively cultivated. Southeast of Pavapuri, five kos, is the village Gohun, which, it is said, was in former times called Gantamapur, from Gautama being born there.
A7th. From Pavapuri I went to Rajagiri, six kos, west of which is a small fort, built by the Moguls, but now in ruins. Southward of that is a lofty mound, where stood, it is said, an old fort built by Brenika Maharaja; the length and breadth of the mound are one mile, and the ruins and ditch may be still distinctly traced. North from hence about a mile are twelve Kundas or water pools, amidst which runs a river called the Saraswati. Five pools are on the east side of the river, and seven on the west: amongst them is a pool called Brahmakund, the water of which is very hos; and