Jain Journal 2007 07

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

Page 19

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLII, NO.I JULY 2007
or the other of the 24 Tirthankaras, who are regarded as liberated souls. The association of Jainism with West India particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan is traceable to very early times. Archaeologically speaking, the first wave of Jainism seems to have passed over Gujarat in the 4th cent. BC, when Bhadrabahu along with Chandragupta and other disciples visited Girnar during their migration from Magadha to South. Traditionally speaking, the origin of the Svetambara sect was traced to the city of Valabhi in 136 VE (79-80AD) or the Vira Era 609 (82-83 AD). The redaction of the Jain canonical works was done here in 300 or 313 AD in the council of Jain monks held under the presidentship of Nargunasuri. Another redaction was prepared in the council held at Mathura at about the same time. But the two redactions were not collated.
Their collation was done in a later council held at Valabhi under the presidentship of Devardhigani Kshamasramana in about 453 (or 466) AD. It led to the redaction of the whole canonical literature of Jainism into the manuscript form. It was adopted by the Svetambaras but rejected by the Digambaras. It finally split the Jain community into these two sects. The collated redaction done at Valabhi was followed by the Svetambaras through out India. As far as South India is concerned, the penetration of Digambara Jaina tradition further South did take place through Orissa - Coastal Andhra route in early centuries BC.
Bahubalin in Sculptures :
Bahubalin, who occupies an exalted position in Jaina pantheon, was the son of the first Tirthankara Adinatha, through his second wife Sunanda. After his father, his step brother Bharata became the Chakravartin, and ruled from Vinita (Saketa or Ayodhya); while Bahubali was ruling from Taksasila (according to Digambara tradition he ruled from Podansa or Podan pura). Bharata began to subdue the various kingdoms of Bharatavarsa ,and except Bahubali, even all his 98 brothers surrendered their domains and became recluse. Bahubalin who did not want to give up his kingdom fought a pitched battle, and in that emerged almost as victor. At the final moment of his triumph, the reality of the futility of the worldly possessions dawned in his mind and felt heart broken, renounced his worldly pleasure and went into deep motionless meditation. It is due to his long penance, his