Jainism in Bihar

Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

Page 89

other Jain Rajahs here. Raja Maga (a proper name) afterwards built the fort of Behar, but the Jain have no account of bim, as he was not of their religion. They have no account of Jarasindha as being an infidel, but they say he lived before Padamuda. Four of the Avatars, Molonath, Subodhoath, Kuntonath and Arinath, performed hermitage (Topisiya) at Rajagribi, on which account it has become a holy place and was published as such about 2,2000 years ago. Four maths have been built by the house of Jogotseit within these 100 years. It belonged to Raja Srinik.
At Pokorpur near Pauyapuri is a temple of Mahavira. When he died he was carried as usual to beaven but some of his remains were left at that place. The temple was built lately. At Gunauya near Nawadah, Gautam Swami performed Topissia. He says that Vaspujiar died at Champapagar. Karna Raja was not a Jain, but Raja Dodibabun was Raja of Champanagar an exceeding long time ago, at the time of Vaspuja. He was after Karna Raja.
Twenty of the Avatars died at Sometsikur hill, called Parswanath in Palgunj. Neamnath died at Grinar near Gujerat, Adinath at Setrurija near Palitana city. The places where the 24 Avatars were born at Kasi, some at Ayudiya. All the Avatars were sons of Rajabs except Neamnath, who was son of Samududra Vijayi by Siva Devi. Samududra was Jodobongsi, or of the same family with Krishna.
The whole Jain are called Srawakas, but they are divided into 84 castes (Jat). Osuyal, Srimal, Agarwal, Porwar, etc. The Osuyal and Srimal can intermarry, but oone of the other castes can intermarry oor eat together. Besides these are a class called Bojok or Pushkarna, who are Brabmans. These were admitted about 350 years ago, when a king threatening the Srawaks with destruction, a number of armed Brahmans undertook their defence and have been received as Purohits for the whole. Formerly they had no Purobits. The Bojoks although outwardly Jains, are generally supposed to be