Jainism in India

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 87

JAINISM IN INDIA
temple, which was later reconstructed by Seth Thaharu Shah in 1618 A.D. After the destruction of Lodrava, Jaisalmir became the capital city. In 1416 A.D. during the reign of Laksmana Simha, the Cintamani Parsvanatha temple was constructed which was named after the king as Laksmanavilasa. This shows the popularity of the king. During the reign of his son Vairi Simha, a temple was erected to Sambhavanatha ; the king having himself participated in all its functions. The constructional activity continued during the reign of the subsequent rājās Cacigadeva, Devakarana and several others. Caranas were set up for worship and vast śāstra bhāndāras (stores for scriptures) were established for the preservation of culture.
Jainism in Jodhpur-Jainism was prevalent in early times at Sauchor and Badmer. The columns of a Jaina temple were erected at Badmer during the days of Samanta Simha in the 13th century. In 1334 A.D. Jinaprabha Suri had come here and was well-received alike by the king and his subjects. The early náme of Sauchor was Satyapur. An Oswal treasurer named Choga reconstructed the catuṣkikā of the Mahavira temple in 1168 A.D. during the reign of Bhimadeva. In 1334 A.D. Jinaprabha Suri came to Satyapura and was received by king Harpaladeva.
In the 13th century Jainism was prevalent in Ratnapur. In 1276 A.D. during the reign of Cacigadeva, Dhina and Udala were so influenced by the sermons of Ajitadeva Suri that they made land gifts to the Parsvanatha temple. In 1291 A.D. during the reign of Samavanta Simha the local śrāvakas reconstructed the temple and gave financial assistance.
Jainism was well-rooted at Nagar. Its earlier name was Virampura. In 1459 A.D. in the kingdom of Rauda, being influenced by the discourses of Modaraja Gani Govindraja made gifts to the temple of Mahavira. The rangamandapa of the Vimalanatha temple was erected by the local sangh in 1511 A.D. during the days of Rawal Kusakarana. The nalimaņdapa of the Santinatha temple was erected in 1557 A.D. during the reign of Rawal Meghavijaya. The temple was repaired in 1609 during the reign of Rawal Teja Simha. In 1621, the catuṣkikā of the Mahavira temple was built by the local sangha at he time of Rawal Jagamala. Three years later in 1624 the exit catuṣkikā and three windows were constructed to the Parsvanatha temple.
Needless to add, it was a policy of toleration of the Rathor kings of Jodhpur that contributed to the progress of Jainism. In 1612 A.D.