Jain Journal 1972 04

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

Page 47

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JAIN JOURNAL
Along with Kalinga, Bengal also seemed to have come under Jaina influence. The Paharpur copper-plate of the Gupta year 159 (478-79 A.D.) denotes the existence of the Jainas in Bengal as the epigraph refers to Acarya Guhanandi of Nandi sangha. Jaina Tirthankara images of about 500 A.D. were found out in the mound in Mainamati village in Bengal. Further, Hiuen-Tsang who visited India in the 7th century A.D. says, "the naked Nirgranthas are the most numerous".
State of Jainism after Khāravela in Central and Western India :
We have already referred to the fact that Samprati Maurya introduced Jainism in various regions in India. His younger brother Salisuka is credited with the spread of Jainism in Saurastra as well. From this it may be remarked that Jainism had its followers throughout north India by about the 2nd century B.C.
Round about the 1st century B.C., according to tradition, there arose a great figure called Vikramaditya of Ujjayini who was said to have been converted to Jainism by Siddhasena Divakara, a famous Jaina teacher. Regarding the predecessor of Vikramaditya, Gardhabhilla, the Jainas have an episode which depicts him as one who abducted the sister of the famous Kalakacarya. . The latter sought the help of the Scythian kings in this matter.
Kalakacarya is also said to have gone to King Satayana (Satavahana) at Pratisthanapura, where on account of the convenience of the king Kalaka changed the date of the paryusana festival from the 5th to the 4th of Bhadrapada.
Contemporary with these persons were Padaliptasuri and Vajrasvami. The former is said to have gone to Manyakheta (mod : Malkhed), while the latter is credited with the spread of Jainism to the south. Besides this, a certain king Devapala of Kumarapura was said to have been converted to Jainism, and Arya Khaputa, so the story goes, defeated the Buddhists in a debate at Bhrgukaccha (mod : Broach).
There is, however, little epigraphical evidence to support these but one thing, however, seems certain, and that is that Jainism, inspite of its change of the field of activity, was confident enough to secure royal patronage in the beginning of the Christian era.
Antiquities and Epigraphs of Mathura :
From about the 2nd century A.D. Mathura seems to have formed part of the Kusana empire. Statues and inscriptions of the famous