Jain Journal 2005 04

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

Page 19

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JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XXXIX, NO. 4 APRIL. 2005
Benaras.l4 This copperplate has been unearthed at the time of excavation of the site of Pāhādpur mound which was the celebrated site of Somapura Mahāvihāra founded by Dharmapāla, the second king of the Pāla dynasty either at the fag end of the 8th century or at the advent of the nineth century A.D.
In fact, the Pāhāļpur Buddhist monastery or Somapura Mahāvihāra originally was an ancient Nirgrantha (Jaina) monastery constructed at least a century or more earlier than the inscribed date i.e. the 478-79 A.D. Probably the virus which sucked the vigour and life blood of the Jaina Church or Vihāra had stuck to the body of the establishment during the reign of king Saśāňka of Karņasuvarna and the virus remained clung to the monastery till its final ruin during the reign of the great anarchy or the Mātsyanyāya when the Nirgrantha (Jaina) inmates of the Vihara left it. The Tīrthika or the Brāhmanical religious zealots occupied the runied monastery and converted it into a Brahmanical establishment. The images of Brahmanical gods and goddesses like Śiva holding up the Triśūla, fourheaded Brahmã holding a rosary, Vişņu seated in Arddhaparyankāsana, a two handed standing Indra infront of an elephant found in the precincts of the Vihara vouschafe or assert this supposition. 15
Later on, at the end of the 8th century or at the advent of the 9th century A.D. when Buddhism was on its height of popularity in Bengal, Dharmapāla converted it into a Buddhist Vihāra which was admired by all Buddhists and even by foreign Buddhist-devotees who came to Bengal.
Aptly it has been observed, “The Pahadpur monastery seems originally to have been a Jaina establishment, was at a later period converted into a Brahmanical one and then into a Buddhist Vihāra the famous Sompura Vihara of North Bengal."
14. 15.
Pāhāļpur Copperplate grant of the year 159, Epigraphia Indica Vol XX. C.C. Dasgupta - Pāhārpur and its Monuments.