Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

Author(s): Renuka J Porwal
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapith

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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
In the kalpa, the author has described the power possessed by A. Bappabhattasūri. Accordingly, he adored Rsabha at Satruñjaya, Nemi at Giranāra, Munisuvrata at Bharuca, Vīra at Mondherā, Supārsva at Mathurā and used to take his Gocari/food at Govālgiri (Gwaliyara).
Moreover, King Ama was his devoteesi 8) Here, the deity Śakra, went to Bhutagpha for the explanation of the
‘Nigoda', to Arya Raksitasūri and satisfied. Here Vatsapusyamitra, Ghayapusyamitra and Durbalipusyamitra having vast knowledge and
Labdhis (Vidya) visited the city. 9) He describes the kathā of learned Ācārya Mangu that his greed for
food resulted in his rebirth as a Yaksa (Jakha). 10) He also narrates Jinadāsa Śrāvaka's two bullocks Kambala and
Sambala who observed austerity along with him52. 11) He mentions the Āgama Vācanā at Mathurā - convened under the
leadership of Ācārya Skandila by Jaina Sangha, after the 12-year draught. This Vācanā came to be known as 'Māthuri Vācanā' and
recognised by Yāpaniya tradition. 12) The author adds further, that 'Deva nirmita' stūpa was adored by the
Kşamāsrāmaņa Jinabhadra, who obtained the deteriorated manuscript of Mahāniśitha sūtra, damaged by termites and repaired the lost
portion with the deity's blessings53. 13) Here Naravāhana Kuberā, Simhavāhana Ambikā and Svānvāhana
kşetrapāla protect the Tīrtha. The author further informs us in last chapter that the given information is gathered by seeing or listening about this Tīrthakşetras//Kincita drastva, kincita śrutvall - V. T. Kalp.
2.5
The period of Mathurā's Stūpa: It is little difficult to judge the period of construction of Mathurā's stūpa, as its antiquity is not remembered, except that it was set up by
51 सित्तुंजे रिसहं, गिरिनारे नेमिं, भरुअच्छे मुणिसुव्वयं, मोढेरए वीरं, महुराए सुपास-पासे नमित्ता सोरटे ढुंढण विहरित्ता गोवालगिरिंमि जो भुंजेइ ।
- V. T. Kalp. pp. 19. 52 इत्थ कंबल-संबलनामाणो वसहपोआ जिणदाससंसग्गीए पडिबुद्धा नागकुमारा होऊण वीरवरस्स भगवओ नावारूढस्स उवस्सग्गं निवारिंसु।।
- Ibid. 53 इत्थ देवनिम्मिअथूभे पक्खक्खमणेण देवयं आराहित्ता जिणभद्दखमासमणेहिं उद्देहिआभक्खियपुत्थयपत्तत्तणेण तुटुं भग्गं महानिसीहं संधि।
- Ibid, pp. 19.