Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

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

Page 60

The Tradition of Stūpa in Jainism
some deity. In the opinion of V. Smith that it was the only ancient structure 54 available after Mohen-jo-daro. There are two ways to judge its establishment i) as per scriptural data and ii) as per donation records.
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The Establishment of Stūpa as per Scriptural data: As per legends, the stūpa was established in the period of seventh Tīrthankara Supārsvanātha. He was from Banaras where his ancient shrine at Bhadainī Ghata is still worshipped by people. Dr. R. C. Sharma suggested, “Some important life events of Supārsvanātha might have taken place at Mathurā, and thus, in his memory, the most ancient stūpa was established55”. As per scriptures, Mathurā city was the chief Jaina pilgrimage centre, Arya Raksita once visited here and stayed at Bhutaguha Caitya, as referred in Āvaśyaka-cūrni. As imformed in the inscription of 'Palace gateway', the arch was gifted by a śrāvaka who was the disciple of Mahārakṣita. These both ascetics might be the same. Here, Arya Mangu became a Yaksa Niddhavana after Nirvāṇas.
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The period of Stūpa based on sculptures and epigraphic Records: The inscription records of Mathurā's sculptures reveal that the stūpa existed during 2nd century B.C. Some of the dedicatory donation records are given belowI) A palace gateway by Uttardāsika (J.536 LM.) with inscription- "An
ornamental arch for the temple, the gift of the lay hearer Uttardāsaka,
son of a Vachhi and antevāsi of the samana Mahārakhita”. II) A Gateway of Balahastini (5.532 LM.). III) A palace fragment of Dhāmaghoṣā having inscription- “A temple
(pāsāda), a gift of Dhāmghosā, the antevāsini (female disciple) of Jaysena". (.557 LM, fig. 127, 128) Though the above three sculptures are without date, but from
palaeographic study, they show to be of 2nd century B.C. IV) A Torso of Jina having inscription at the back of Ksatrapa year 71.
(fig. 39, 40) The pattern of writing inscription at the back is still continued on many Jina images. It was obtained in the year 1891-92,
54 V. Smith, The Jaina Stupa at Mathurā..1900, op. cit., preface. 55 Sharma R. C., 1971, Mathurā Jain Tirtha Kankali, pp.3. 56 Ibid.