Jain Journal 2005 10

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

Page 34

CHITTARAJAN PAL:JAINISAIN BENGAL
The quality of benevolance or kindness for all living beings whether men or bcast is ingrained in the religion of the Nirgranthas. As the Nirgranthas believe in the potential equality of all Jivas (souls), they refrain from hurting even an animalcule. On the other hand, they render all sorts of help for the protection of living creatures. It will not be out of place to mention that by the austerity called "vaiyā-vacca", the Nirgranthas or Jainas render service to the poor, the helpless, the suffering by giving them food, water, shelter or clothing."
It is, therefore, evident from the discussion made above that at the time for depicting the characteristics of a true yogin or ascetic, Advayavajra had before him the model of an advanced Nirgrantha Digambara ascetic. And in the eleventh century A.D., perhaps, the Digambara ascetics were very numerious in North Bengal where at the Devikota Vihāra, the author of "māvānirukit”, Advayavajra had his residence. The ruins of Devakota/Devīkota have been unearthed at Bangarh, eighteen miles away from Dinajpur.
Incidentally, it is to be mentioned that in the medieval times in Bengal some “Avadhūtīs” and Kāpālis” were known for their strict and hard hermit life. As, for example, the Avadhūtī Yogis lived in forest under trees, begged alms for food, put on wornout rags (jirna civara) and were averse to caste, scripture and pilgrimage'. But this description of the Avadhūtis does not tally with that found in
ukti, because the Avadhūtīs wore worn out rags and all Avadhüti ascetics did not live in forests, some of them lived in monasteries. As, for example, Avadhūtipāda Advayavajra himself lived at Devikota monastery.?Probably, in the eleventh century A.D. when the tract or treatise māvānirukti was written, the Avadhūtis were not yet organised into a sect and perhaps they were very few in number and not noticeable.
navonijeti
As regards the Kāpāli or Kāpālika Yogis, it is said that they lived a nude life, besmeared their bodies with ashes, put on bracelets
30. 31. 32.
Mrs. S. Stevenson, Heart of Jainism, p. 167 N. R. Ray, Bangalir Itihas, Adiparba, p. 532 N. N. Dasgupta, Banglay Baudhadharma, p. 74