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Khāravela and the Jaina Tradition
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non-violence. Alekha bhajana or Sunya Upasana or meditation on the void or non-entity is core of this religion. The saints of this faith wear a bark garment known as Kumbhipata after the name of the tree called Kumbhi. The monks usually lead the life of Parivrājaka and wherver they go they do not remain there for more than a night. The avadhūtas, as they are called, live a rigorous way of life without inflicting pain on others. The shrine of this religious sect is at Joranda in the Dhenkanal district. The Viṣṇugarbhapurāṇa of Caitanya Das and Stuti Cintamaṇi of Bhima bhoi are the two immortal poems which preach this religion. The teachings of Rṣabhadeva find mention in the Visnugarbhapurāṇa.
The doctrine of non-violence and doing good to others even at the risk of one's own self which are the very essence of Jainism, are nicely portrayed in popular folk literature of Orissa. The ideal of Jaina asceticism find its echo in popular poem like Țika Govindacandra etc. The sacred memory of Parsvanatha is alive among the people of Orissa and the caves of Khandagiri stand witness to his religious preaching. Jainism which was at the apex of glory in Orissa during the reign of Kharavela remained as such till the fifth century A. D. when the tantricism in Jainism rose its head to compete with that of the Buddhists. This trend remained until the rise of Vaisnavism in the tenth century A. D.
Last but not the least, Lord Jagannatha of Puri and the Jagannatha cult which have been dominating the entire culture and literature of Orissa through centuries are said to be originated from Jainism. Lord Jagannatha is regarded as Rṣabhadeva and the word nätha associated with His name has a close likeness with the names of the Jinas suffixed by natha or deva. The Jagannatha cult in Orissa is believed to have its origin from early Vedic period, thus finding a coincidence with the origin of Jainism about the same period. The famous car festival of Lord Jagannatha is a reminiscence of the Caitya Yatra of Jainas. The Kalpa Vata (fig tree believed to be wish-fulfilling), Cakra kṣetra, the twentyfour steps to the Puri temple symbolising the twentyfour Jaina Tirthankaras are all associated with Jainism. Indrabhūti in his 'Jñanasiddhi' offers his salutation to Lord Jagannatha by calling Him both Jina and Buddha and resembling the sky (Sūnya).
pranipatya Jagannathem sarvajinavarārcitam/ sarvabuddhamayam siddhivyāpinam gaganopamain//
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