Jainism in Rajasthan

Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 14

Just 1
}
{4}}{A
51.l.nown in Rajasthan since the time of its very inccption. Of course, it must have had ups and downs but it had a continual cxistence from the ciglul century Av. onwards. To find sufficicnt matcrial indicating that Jainism fiad reached ercry corner of Rajasthan. Its followers were always comparaurcly richer and more influential Its doctrincs are harmless and non-aggressive. It has, thereforc, commanded respect cren from those who did not rcgularly follow it.
JUISISY DURING THE PERIOD OD VULAVIRI: The historic period of Indian History starts nearly from about the time of labāvīra. Actually, Jainism remained confined to the cast at this time though its contact with Rajasthan is known from thc later sources. There is the inscription of 1276 4 11, which begins with a verse which tells us that Mahāvīra in person came to Srimāla. This is supported by simula Alibatnya, a work of about the thunteenth century 1 11. u hich gives an account of the dissemination of Jainism in Srimāla. Disgusted with the behaviour of the Brāhmaṇas of Srīmāla, Gautama Gamadhara went to Kashmir where hc was converted to Jainism by Mahivira. After his return to Srímāla, he converted thc Vaisyas to Jainisin and composed the Kalpasītra, Bhigaratīsitiei, Mlabarzia Janmasīitra and other works. An inscription of 1369 .1.1). found on the door of the chucf shrine in Jivantasvīmi Sri Mahīvīra Jaina temple at Mungasthala malūtīrtha, 4. miles west of Ibū road shows that Lord Malāvīra visited Irbudabhim and an image was consccrated by Śrī Kcsi Ganadlara during the 37th year of of the list of Jahīvīra, Thcsc statements are of a very late time and thereforc, cannot be casily relicd on. But from them, it can be inferred that in the 13th century 10 Jainism was considered a very old rcligion in Rajasthan.
The most substantial cridence for the esistence of Jainism in Rajasilian of the sth century 1.c. is thic Badali inscription,t the oldest inscription so far discovered. This inscription mentions the name of the placc dājhabiki which may be identified with Madhyamikā ncar Chittore mentioned by Patanjali in Vahabbūsina. At present it is known as Nagari. The Majhir: la branch of the Jaina church organization mentioned in the 1. PR 18.; 17; 1907, p. 55.
. Srimcila purūnu, pp 033-003. 3. APJIS., Xo. 45.
4. XJI., Xo 40 5 71 - Iltry of munna, Vol.1, 110),