Jain Journal 1984 01

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

Page 30

References to Jaina Pontiffs in the Bijolia
Inscriptions of V.S. 1226
KRISHAN GOPAL SHARMA
The proper object of the Bijolia inscription of V.S. 1226 is to record the erection of a temple to Parsvanatha by a pious Digambara Jain named Lolaka. Its importance lies in the long list it supplies of the princes of the Imperial Cauhan dynasty of Sambhar and Ajmer. The early part of the inscription contains elaborate descriptions of the achievements of some Jaina pontiffs. Historically they are of minimal value but they throw some light on Jaina mythology.
The inscription? opens with a salutation to Vitaraga in a small prose sentence and in its first verse adoration is paid to the divine light produced in the supreme soul which, it is said, has manifested itself in the form of the formula syāt.
The second verse of the inscription makes allegorical reference to the first Jaina Tirthankara, Rsabhadeva. It reads with letters broken at several places : nāstam gatah kugrahasangraho na no tivratejā.. (vah).....naiva suduşta dehopūrvvo ravi stātsamudevr$o vah.
The word 'vrşe' here indicates the name of Rsabhadeva who (by breaking the euphonic combination) is to be regarded as avrşa i.e. not having to ascend the second sign of the Zodiac, in contrast to the sun.
The third verse highlights the benevolent nature of Santinatha, the sixteenth pontiff. It reads : bhūyācchrāśāntih śubhavibhavabhangibhavabhrtām vibhoryasyābhāti sphuritanakharocih karayugam. vinamrāņāmeşāmakhilakytinām mangalmayim stharikarttum lakṣmimuparacitarajjuyrajamiya. There was the sage Santinatha whose both beautiful hands with brilliant nails stretch out to cherish and satisfy the accomplished
1 The reading and interpretation of the text given here is based on Akshayakeerty
Vyas' paper 'Bijholi Rock Inscription of Cahamana Somesvara : V. S. 1226' pub
lished in Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XXVI, pp. 84-102. som namo vitaragaya. • cidrupam sahajoditam niravadhim jnanaikanistharppitam nityonmilitamullasat
parakalam syatkaravispharitam (.) suvyaktam paramadbhutam sivasukhanandaspadam sasvatam naumi staumi japami yami saranam tajjyotiratom(tthi)-tam.