________________
HOUSEHOLDER'S DHARMA IN JAINISM 63 Deoas of heaven. This reference from the Digambara Jaina Sastra, supported by the following few more examples establishes the universality and proselytising spirit of Jainism beyond question. Sri Jinasenacharya mentions in bis "Horivonsapurana," the very presence of the Malanga Vidyadharas in the Jaina temple, who came there to worship the great Jinas.3 Muni Kankamara writes in his“ Karakanducharila!" that a certain Vidyadhara was obliged to pursue a livelihood of the Chandala in the cemetery of Dantapur and queen Padmavati left her new-born baby with him, who grew up under his protection and professing Jainism, he became a renowned king of Kalinga and Champa. Afterwards he renounced the world, followed the life of a Jaina Muni and attained to Saroartha Siddhi heaven.4
Besides these and many other scriptural references, there can be gathered historical instances as well, which shall, also, support our problem. The early Greek writers have mentioned the Gymnosophists, as a class of the Indian sophists, who were no other than the Niganthas or the Jainas.1 "Prophyrius mentions two orders of them; one the Brachmens the other the Samanocans: the Brachmens receive religious knowledge, like the priesthood, in right of birth; but the Samanoeans are select and consist of persons choosing to prosecute divine studies. He adds on the authority of Bardesanes that...' the Samanocans are not of their (Brahmin) race; being selected from the whole nation of Indians."? This passage asserts clearly that the doors of the Sramana Dharma (Religion of Mahavira) 3 were open to all peoples and so, we find Jainism
2. “Samyagdarsana Sampannamapi matanga dobam, Deva devam vidurbhasma gudangaratma raujasam. Ratnakaran
dakam." 3. "Sastrik ah khecra yatab Siddbakutajinalayam,
Ekadavanditam sopi Sourir Madanvogaya 2."
Ami Vidyadharabyaryab samasena samiritsh, Matanganamapi Svaminpik ayen ru vacmite 14."
4. Karakandu Carita, Sandbi, 3. 1. Encyclo. Britainica. Vol. XV p. 188 (11th ed.) 2. Asiatick Researches, Vol. IX, p. 298–299,
3. Kalpasutra p. 83, Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
