Jain Journal 1980 01

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

Page 20

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plaques inscription, the Sahayaura copper plate, the Piparahwa Buddhist vase inscription, the Taxila coin Brahmi legend and the Bhatti-prollu rock casket inscription including this Badali stone inscription as the Pre-Mauryan records.12 Their main arguments are based on palaeographical details and its variations. They believe that the Brahmi script of the time of Asoka was consciously improved from some earlier Brahmi scripts. Therefore, whole problem is to be studied without any preconceived ideas. The theory that the Brahmi script was invented during the reign of Asoka was ably challenged by numerous scholars who, on the basis of vast literary evidence proved that the Brahmi script existed even earlier than Candragupta Maurya. Another important point connected with the date of this inscription is the use of the words "caturāsiti-va (se)". The suggestion of some scholars that this word is indicative of some geographical area is untenable.13 This date is recorded both in numericals and syllables. Such system was obviously apparent for recording the dates only. G.H. Ojha has suggested that this date pertains to the Mahavira Nirvana era, which remained quite popular for ecclesiastical reckoning among the Jainas. 14 D.C. Sircar and others have objected that this era is not yet known from any early records. But I think, no much credence ought to be given on negative evidence. From Southern Rajasthan use of some unknown eras are noticed as under :15
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(i) From Devani-Muri situated near the southern borders of Rajasthan an inscription datable to 3rd century A.D. mentioning some Kathika era was noticed. This is the solitary evidence about the use of this era. Before its finding no one had the knowledge of this era.
(ii) From Kalyanapura (near Rikhavdevji, Udaipur) several records datable to 6th century A.D. in some unknown era are noticed. So far no definite clue about the beginning of this era is known.
Therefore we cannot rule out the possibility of the use of Mahavira Nirvana era in this inscription, simply on the plea that its use was unknown in earlier records. Apparently the Jainas have repeatedly used
12 R.B.Pandey, op.cit., pp. 19-21.
13 It is clear that the word "caurasi" is still popular for a group of the villages in the area round about Badali. But the use of numericals and syllables together for recording the dates proves that it was used for mentioning the years. Such system was quite popular in ancient India.
14 G.H.Ojha, op. cit., pp. 2-3 fn.
15 Journal of the Oriental Institute of Baroda, Vol. XII No.2, pp. 173-176/Vol.XIV No.3-4, p.410/Vol.XV No.1, pp. 71-72/ The Vishweshwaranand Indological Journal, Vol. III No.1, pp.101-104/ Vidhya (Gujrati), Vol.XI No.1, 103-112.