Jain Journal 1978 07

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

Page 40

JULY, 1978
11
Futhermore, Raja Sekhara, Bhima, Mantri Bhanaka,10 Mahendra Suri, Bhattaraka Simha Kirti,12 Somaprabha Suri,13 Somatilaka Suri,14 Sena Suri15 and Jinaprabha Suri enjoyed royal favours. Raja Sekhara and Jinaprabha Suri were scholars; and, by virtue of their scholarly works, enjoyed close access to emperor Muhammad bin Tughluq. Bhima was a wealthy merchant who gave large sums of money in charity at the outbreak of famine in Gujarat during the reign of Ghiyasu'ddin Tughluq in V. S. 1376-77 (A.D. 1321). Then he erected the image of Bhimasimhaprasad in a temple on Mr. Abu. Subsequently three more images identified with Gosala, Gunadevi and Ambikadevi, were added and the opening ceremony of the temple was performed.16 In this connection some interesting details are collected by a modern Gujarati scholar in his book entitled Jinaprabha Suri Ane Sultan Mahammad. He says:
'It is but natural to wonder how that emperor of Delhi (Sultan Muhammad) became well-disposed towards the Jain Sangha and what he did for it. We wonder how he was introduced to that Jain saint, Jinaprabha Suri who exercised wholesome influence on him to such an extent that he made the Jain dharma and society quite safe. Also the Jain tirthas were protected against every kind of aggression; and Jinaprabha Suri unfurled the banner of Jainism by recovering from the Muslims the idol of the Jain apostle Mahavira. He was profoundly respected by the emperor. Unfortunately we know little about him and have not been able to appreciate his works. However, this book is intended to present before the public some historical evidence in this connection. It is also intended to present about Sultan Muhammad some facts which are not found in the (Muslim) chronicles and are hidden in the contemporary SanskritPrakrit sources."
"17
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These facts are traceable in the works of Jinaprabha Suri and his disciple Sangh Tilak Suri in the light of the following extracts:
(i) 'This book was finished in Yoginipattana in the Vikrama era 1389 (1322 A.D.) in the latter part of the month of Bhadra on Wednesday, the tenth day of the moon when Hammir Mahammada
8-10 Sheth, C. B., Jainism in Gujarat, p. 181.
11.15 Vide Pr. I.H.C. (1941), pp. 301-302 and Inscription, No 46. Epigraphia Carnatica, vol. 88, pp. 377-378.
16 Op. cit.
17 J.P.S.B., (Lohawat, V. S., 1986) pp. 1-2.