Jain Journal 1968 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 49

JANUARY, 1968
In the Rāmāyana Siva9 is referred to as Hara and Brsabhadhvaja.
In the Mahābhārata Siva1o is shown as Supreme Brahman, Infinite, Inconceivable, Creator of the Universe, great Yogi and Knower of yoga of self and austerities.
Asvaghosa11 in his Buddhacarita refers to Siva as Brasabhadhvaja and Bhava.
In the Vayu and Matsya Purāṇa Siva is said to be the first originator, omniscient, preacher of yoga, restrained, living a life of sexual abstinence and subduer of all passions.
In the Siva Purāņa Siva is said to have incarnated as the first Tirthankara Brsabhadeva.
ittham prabhāba ṛṣabho' batārah sankarasya me santa gatirdinabandhurnabama kathitstaba
4, 40, 48.
This is the glory of the incarnation of Rsabha, the Siva. Thou art the ninth incarnation, refuge of the saints and friend of the afflicted.
135
In the Natya Sastra of Bharata Siva12 is referred to as the Supreme Lord. He has three eyes 13 and has an emblem of bṛşa or bull. He is supreme Dancer. He is the first originator of the dramatic learning and of yoga. The accomplishments of the sons of Bharata14 are all due to him.
In the Prabhasa Purāṇa15 Siva is one of the adjectives mentioned for Brsabha.
kailāse vimale ramye brşabho'yam jinesvarah cakāra svābatāram ca sarvajñah sarvagah sivah
Brsabha, the Lord of the jinas incarnated himself as the omniscient, all-pervasive Siva on the beautiful Kailasa.
Vimala Suri in his Paumacariya16 has adored the Lord by the adjective Rudra.
Acarya Virasena17 in his Dhavala Tikā has described the Arhatas as Pauranic Siva.
Besides these similarities there are other similarities which are evident from the life of Siva of the Vedantists and that of Rsabha of the Jainas.
According to the Vedic tradition, Siva is the dweller of Kailasa and there on the fourteenth night of the dark half of the moon in the month