Book Title: Introduction to Jainism and its Culture
Author(s): Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

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Page 217
________________ Śrīdatta, a high official of the state of Jayapura, and his wife Sanghavin Surajayi got a temple of Bhagavāna Vāsupūjya constructed here in the 2559th year of the Yudhiştara era (741 B. C.) (inscriptions in Franklins site of Ancient Palibothral pp. 16-17). According to popular hearsay the Digambara temple at Nāthanagara is this aforesaid temple. A temple was constructed here by merchant Ghanshyamadas Sarawagi in 2000 V. The images installed here have no inscriptions, only symbols. It is said that these images are from the aforesaid temple constructed in 741 B. C. These images are very old. In the Nāthanagara temple there are two Māna-stambhas on its eastern and southern sides. In these pillars there were staircases that have been closed now. Originally there were Māna-stambha on all the four sides but two centuries back ani earthquake demolished two of them. The existing pillars have also undergone renovation. It is believed that an underground passage starting under the eastern pillar went up to the Candraprabha Tonka (hilltop) at Sammeda Sikhara, about 180 miles from here. But landslide during that earthquake closed it. According to the state records this temple is only 900 years old. Campānāla (a canal) is about one mile from Nāthanagara. There is a Digambara Jain temple on the banks of this canal. There is an image of Bhagavāna Vāsupūjya and a pair of footprints in this temple. This place is called the ancient Campā. Mandāragiri was a beautiful hill garden on the outskirts of Bhagalpur. Bhagavāna Vāsupūjya got initiated here and also attained omniscience. The climb up this hill is about one mile long. At the top is a large Jain temple. The walls are three and a half yard wide. On the pedestal are carved footprints of Bhagavāna. The temple has a double spire superstructure. Near the large temple there is another small temple having ancient carvings of footprints. Ahead of this temple also there are footprints carved on a rock. The Hindu population of this area believes that this Mandarācala hill was used to churn the ocean by wrapping around Vāsuki serpant. All around the hill signs confirming this hearsay have been cleverly made. But according to some Hindu Purānas including Varāha (0143) and Vāmana (44), and Mahābhārata (Anusasana Parva 19 and Vanaparva 162-164) that Mandāra hill was in the Himalayas and north of Badrinath. The stories and political activities of Dviprsta Nārāyaṇa, Vijaya Balabhadra and Tāraka Pratinārāyaṇa could acquire historical importance. BHAGAVĀNA VIMALA NĂTHA -- He was born to queen Śyāmā, the wife of King Kệtavarmā (belonging to the Ikşvāku family) of Kāmpilya 200 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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