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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
time Sthulabhadra was in his usual form. After this event the Guru stopped giving him further knowledge, but when Jaina-sangha appealed to Bhadrabahu, he taught him remaining Draṣtivada but without its detailed explanation. From this episode one can infer that Jainācaryas had knowledge of tantra (vidyās), but were supposed to use them rarely only when in need, for the sake of religion and not otherwise. Bhadrabahu II composed Uvasaggaharam stotra13 at the time of epidemic on the request by Jaina Sangha to avert the same. Here, in the beginning, both Parsva - i.e. Tīrthankara Parsva and a yakṣa Parsva are saluted and prayed to help devotees in such a situation. The Parsva yakṣa of Jaina pantheon resembles lord Ganeśa. Here yakṣa Dharana and yakṣi Padmavatī are also adored to get rid of grief and to achieve Mokṣa. Thus by the time of second Bhadrabahu (5th century A.D.), yakṣa-yakṣi families were accepted as guardians of Sangha.
Ārya Vajrasvāmī used Paṭṭavidya during a natural calamity to carry the Jaina sangha at a safer place in 1st century A. D. Avaśyaka-niryukti, a commentary on Avaśyaka-sūtra refers that Vajrasvāmī secured many magical powers (vidyās) before these went in oblivion. We know that with the help of Bow-and-arrow knowledge (vidya), Acārya Kalaka defeated king Gardabhilla and rescued the female ascetic named Sarasvati. The Ayagapaṭa (Q.2 MM) of Lonaśobhikā comprises of the depiction of monks flying in the sky14. Even the depiction of flying Sadhu along with Indra is seen on a sculpture, though it is in two pieces but provides plenty of information of that period15. It displays some unidentified object flanked by a flying Jaina monk and Indra. This shows that magical powers were mastered by Jaina ascetics. All above literary and archaeological evidences prove that the practice of tantra and mantra and to possess super natural power was popular in Jaina tradition earlier to 1st century A.D., but the Acaryas rarely used them, that is too for ensuring safety of Jaina Sangha in ill situations. Some of the Jaina Acaryas who mastered magical powers with their related mantra to save the religion are as follows -
1. Arya Khaputa
1st century A.D.
2. Ārya Rohana - 2nd century A.D.
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13 Pañca pratikramaṇasūtra, "Uvasagga haram Pasam, Pasam vandāmi kamma gana mukkam", Bhadrabahu II.
14 V. Smith, Jaina stupa at Mathurā.., pl. CIII, (Ayagapaṭa of Loṇaśobhikā). 15 Ibid., pl. XVI.
