Jainaism in Ancient Bengal

Author(s): R C Majumdar
Publisher: Z_Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_Mahotsav_Granth_Part_1_012002.pdf and Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_

Page 1

Jainism in Ancient Bengal
R. C. MAJUMDAR
THE first recorded contact of Bengal with Jainism was marred by
incidents which reflect great discredit on her people. We learn from the Acârânga Sütra that when Mahavira wandered as a naked mendicant in Ladha (i. e. Radha or western part of undivided Bengal) through its two divisions known as Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhümi, he was attacked by the people who even went to the length of setting dogs upon him.' It appears that it was not due to any malice against Mahavira, but the people generally maltreated the ascetics. It was difficult to travel in Lådha which is described as duccara or pathless country. It is said that many recluses lived in Vajjabhūmi where they were bitten by the dogs and cruelly treated in hundred other ways. Some of the recluses carried bamboo staves in order to keep off the dogs (latthim gahaya naliyam). The Ajivikas habitually went about with a staff in hand, which was a matter of necessity with them. "2
Of the peregrinations of Mahavira which brought him to Radha along with Gosåla, also called Makkhali, we get a full account in Jinadasa's Curni to the Avaśyaka Sutra, and the Bhagavati Sūtra describes how these two, the founders, respectively, of the Jaina and Ajivika sects, settled down together before undertaking the annual
1 S. B. E., XXII, p. 84.
2 Barua, B. M., The Ajivikas, p. 57.