Jain Journal 1972 04

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

Page 45

184
celebrated in all the countries round about Ujjayini. He also asked his feudatories to prohibit killing of living beings in their regions, and make the touring of monks safe.
JAIN JOURNAL
It may be said, therefore, that Samprati furthered the cause of Jainism with perfect zeal, though the sphere of the Mauryan activity shifted from the eastern parts of our country to somewhat western or central India. He opened up further regions in the south for the spread of Jainism, the beginnings of which were probably already made by his great-grand-father, Candragupta.
Khāravela:
We have already referred to the carrying away of a Jaina image by the Nanda king from Kalinga. This presupposes the existence of Jainism in an established form even before the times of the Nandas.
The Udayagiri and the Khandagiri hills which are strewn with caves for the monks, and some of which contain inscriptions in the Brahmi script which may go back to the Mauryan age, prove to be a sufficient evidence of the flourishing condition of Jainism in Kalinga in about the second-third century B.C.
The Inscription of Kharavela:
This inscription contains seventeen lines, but it is of immense importance to the history of Jainism in Kalinga. It opens with the salute to the Arhats and the Siddhas in the typical Jaina tradition. Then the account begins with the story of his life right from his fifteenth year. The points of importance from Jaina point of view are the following:
(1) He made the king of Magadha, Bahasati-mitra, to bow down
to his feet. Then he set up the image of the Jina of Kalinga which had been taken away by king Nanda to Magadha.
(2) In the thirteenth year, on the Kumari Hill where the wheel of conquest had been well-revolved (i.e., the religion of Jina had been preached), he offered respectfully royal maintenance, cīna clothes and white clothes to (the monks).
(3) He brought about a council of the wise ascetics and sages
from various quarters.
(4) He caused to be compiled the sevenfold Angas of the sixty four letters which had been lost in the period of the Mauryas. (5) He realised the nature of soul and body.