Jain Journal 1983 04

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

Page 39

APRIL, 1983
141
pose of its arms hanging down by its sides, indicative of the kāyotsarga attitude, characteristic of the Jinas, unmistakably prove that it is the image of one of the Tirthankaras.
It is difficult to ascertain which of the Jinas it represents as its head and legs are missing. The image has been assigned by the experts to the Gupta period. A small Jina image is said to have been discovered from the ruins of a Jaina vihāra at Batgohali or Goalbhita (Paharpur). But, this image is, for many years, out of trace. Hence, the Candraketugarh torso represents the oldest Jina image extant in Bengal.5 Incidentally, this is the only Jaina relic so far discovered from Candraketugarh.
The Kalpasūtra mentions four branches of the Godasagana of the Jaina monks as Tamalittya, Kodivarsiya, Poindavardhaniya and (Dasi) Khabbadiya. This shows that the Jainas had a wide influence in ancient Bengal. Khabbadiya has been identified with the principality of Kharvata in Western Bengal.? It is mentioned in the Sabhāparya of the Mahābhārata that Bhima, in course of his conguest of eastern conquered the king of Kharvata after the capture of Tamralipta. From this description it has been inferred that Kharvata was located near Tamralipta, probably in the area of the Sundarbans in South 24-Parganas. Perhaps, from this centre of Jainism, Jainism spread to the different localities of South 24-Parganas. This is probably corroborated by the find of as many as ten Jaina images from the Sundarbans of 24Parganas.9 The Jaina zone of influence appears to have extended, according to R. D. Banerjee, from the southern bank of the Ganges to the western bank of the Bhagirathi.10
The exploration of a certain part of the Sundarbans in West Bengal has brought to light a large number of Jaina images. This indicates the popularity of the Jaina faith in this area in the past. A dignified large figure of Adinatha the first Jaina Tirthankara, was recovered from Ghatesvara.11 This image of Rsabhanatha (grey sand stone, 3'5" X1' 8') has been assigned to 10th Century A. D. It is now preserved in the
Jain Journal, April, 1976, pp. 149-151. 5Bangalir Itihas (Vol. II), N. R. Ray, p. 966, p. 1057, fig. 31. &Kalpasutra, Tr. Jacobi, p. 79. 'N. R. Ray, p. 626. 8Sahitya O Samskrti, Magh-Caitra, B.S. 1379, p. 283. 'N. R. Ray, p. 685. 10Shah, p. 26. 11 Studies in Museum and Museology, D. P. Ghosh, p. 61.