Jain Journal 2005 04

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

Page 10

CHITTARANJAN PAL: BAPPABHATTISŪRI AND JAINISM IN BENGAL
From the legends it is evident that Acārya Bappabhaṭṭi was a contemporary to both prince Ama of Gopagiri (Kanauj) and king Dharma of Bengal. Prince Ama has been identified with Vatsaraja of Pratihāra dynasty by some historians 16 whereas some scholars have identified Ama with Nagabhaṭṭa II of the same dynasty17. As the identification of Prince Ama does not fall within the purview of our discussions, we may skip over this question. King Dharma at whose court Bappabhațți was well-received was none but Dharma Pāla, emperor of Bengal and with Dharma Pāla, king of Bengal, Vatsaraja and Nagabhaṭṭa of the Pratihara dynasty had to wage many battles. But to make Yasovarman of Kanauja, a contemporary of king Dharma who was stated to have been killed by Yaśovarman, is not only an example of anachronism but also a mistatement of historical fact. In fact, king Yasovarman of Kanauj was slain by Lalitāditya of Kashmir, many years before the accession of Dharmapala to the throne of Gauda. It is also to be noted that Lakṣaṇāvatī was made the Capital of Gauda about three hundred years after Dharmapāla.
After a little digression, let us now concentrate upon legends related to Gauda kingdom and its ruler. As already stated, Bappabhatti convinced Dharmapala of the soundness of Jaina faith and converted him to Jainism. At first glance, the claim seems to be nothing but vainboasting, but after a little deliberation, the claim seems to have a semblance of truth in it. It is a well-known fact that Dharmapala was a Buddhist and adorned his kingdom with monasteries and stupas. He patronised thousands of Buddhist monks and scholars. In spite of being a Buddhist, he was eclectic in religious disposition, granted four villages to a Brahmin for the performance of worship of Nārāyaṇa. He also appointed Garga, a Brahmin by caste, to the high position of the chief minister. 18 So it was but natural for Dharmapāla, a tolerant
16. Age of Imperial Kanauj, ed. by R.C.Majumdar. p.290
17 Jain Journal, Vol III, No. 4 Mahāvīra Jayanti special. 1969. 18. Ramesh Chandra Mazumdar, Bangladeśer Itihasa Vol I. p. 67.
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