Jain Journal 1985 07

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

Page 14

JULY, 1985
had any such intention. Only after a detailed study these reveal the truth. According to Kalpa Sūtra Lord spent one year at Asthika, two years at Campa, one year each at Prsthacampa and Paniyabhumi, that is the Lord spent altogether six years of his early ascetic life in the country east of Nalanda. Hence we find that Kalpa Sūtra and Bhagavati Sūtra are confirming each other.
But the land to the east of Nalanda is extension of Chotnagpur Plateau-the pathless rolling highlands of Acāränga Sūtra well within Radha.
From Acäränga Sutra it appears that Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi were two portions of Radha and Vajjabhumi or Vajrabhumi gradually changed to Virabhumi to witness the travels of Lord Mahavira. Subbhabhumi gradually changed to Sumhabhumi-Simhabhumi and a fraction of it still exists as Singhabhumi. (Lion or Simha is the symbol of Lord Mahavira.) Thus it seems that Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi were northern and southern parts of Radha separated by river Ajoy.
Considering all this an attempt was made by the present authors to trace out the existence of Paniyabhumi or Paniti if any in its microform in the Ajoy valley. From revenue settlement record nothing such could be found but from records of Geological Survey of India quite a large area at about 5 miles south of river Ajoy was found to be known as Paniati. Geological Survey named one of the biggest coal seem of Raniganj coal field as Paniati coal seem. Not only this but quite a few
f commercial organisations have been named after Paniati. Surrounding villages of this area are occupied since ancient times by the discendents of Jaina Sravakas and they are the actual aborigins of the land.
Existence of Paniyati/Paniti/Paniyabhumi in the Ajoy valley in central Radha confirms that Acārānga Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra and Kalpa Sutra-all speaks the truth that is Radha or Paniyabhumi are the same place. Paniyabhumi literally means land of Pani or Dasyus of Rgveda which is in tune with Acārānga Sutra (Ladha—a land of recluses).
All these reveal that Lord Mahavira wandered for six years in this Ajoy valley region and attained kevala-knowledge at Jambhiyagrama over here itself regarding which Kalpa Sutra gives a most detailed description : The Lord attained kevala-knowledge under a Sala tree near an old temple in the field belonging to a householder named Samaga outside the town of Jambhiyagrama on the bank of the river Rjupalika.