Jain Journal 1990 04

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

Page 41

152
JAIN JOURNAL
Maharaj Kumarapala of Anahilpur Patan, Gujarat, was also a Jain monarch, a devout disciple of Sri Hemacandra Acarya. His territories extended up to Kolhapur in the south, Kashmir in the north, Magadha in the east and Sindh in the west. In Patan, the capital of his kingdom, there were 1800 multi-millionaires. He was not only learned and bountiful, but led a controlled and regulated life. After the queen's death, he did not marry again and observed the vows of sexual purity. The Jain temples at Taranga Hill were built by him. He ruled from 1143 to 1174, having ascended the throne at the age of 50. He gave one crore of rupees annually to alleviate the distress of poverty-stricken people. In recognition of his exemplary personal merit of character he was given many titles by his subjects, such as Paranari-Sahodara, ‘Brother to the Wives of Others', the Jiva-data, 'Giver of Life', VicaraCaturmukha, 'All-round Thinker', Dinoddharaka, 'Uplifter of the Fallen', Raja-Rsi, Saint-king'.
The Bhandaris of Jodhpur who trace their descent from the Cauhana Rajputs of Ajmer were converted to Jainism in 992 by Yasobhadra Suri. They were learned scholars, wise administrators and brave soldiers, loyal to the Jodhpur Raj.
Raja Amoghavarsa of Malkhed, in the territory of Hyderabad Deccan, ruled from 815 to 877, and then adopted the vows of a Jaina saint.
Bacchraj, the founder of the Bacchawat clan, who came with Rao Bikaji and helped in establishing the kingdom of Bikaner in 1488, was a Jain Rajput.
Arambhi Himsă
Arambhaja or Arambhi -himsă may again be sub-divided as Udyami, Grharambhi and Virodhi. Udyami is himsā unavoidably committed in the exercise of one's profession. Permissible professions according to Jaina writers are (1) the profession of a soldier, asi, (2) of a scribe, masi, (3) of agriculture, krși, (4) trade, vānijya, (5) of an artisan, śilpa, (6) intellectual, vidyā. Gyhārambhi-himsă is that which is unavoidably committed in the performance of necessary domestic purposes, such as preparation of food, general bodily and household cleanliness, construction of buildings, wells, gardens, and keeping cattle. Virodhi himsă is unavoidly committed in defence of person and property, against thieves, robbers, dacoits, assassins, assailants, and enemies, in meeting their aggression and in causing the least possible injury necessary in the circumstances in which one may find himself.