Jainism in Rajasthan

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II HISTORICAL ROLE OF JAINISM
Sthaviravali of the Kalpasūtra became famous after the place name of Mājhamikā. Priyagrantha, the second pupil of Susthita and Supratibuddha, founded this branch in about the 3rd century BC1 An inscription of about third century B.C has been discovered at this place. Its meaning is as follows 'constructed for the well-being of all living beings." This inscription may be probably of the Jainas. From these evidences, it seems that there were Jainas in Rajasthan at this time.
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JAINISM UNDER THE MAURYAS: Jainism continued to make gradual progress under the Mauryas. From the strong Jaina literary traditions and epigraphical evidence, Chandragupta Maurya is considered to be the Jaina emperor. He undoubtedly ruled over a vast empire. As Aśoka is credited in his inscriptions with only one conquest viz., that of Kalinga, it is reasonable to hold that the empire over which Aśoka ruled was mostly the creation of his grandfather, Chandragupta. The inscription of Asoka, discovered at Bairat in the centre of Rajasthan, clearly proves that this region was also ruled by Chandragupta.
Chandragupta made great efforts for the dissemination of Jainism. He is said to have performed the consecration ceremony of the images of many temples. In a village of Ghanghaṇī, at a distance of 18 miles from Jodhpur, there is an old temple of Parsvanatha. In vs 1662, many images were discovered in the tank of this place. By chance, the poet Sundaragani went on pilgrimage to this place and saw the inscription on the image and examined it. He is said to have read the inscription by the miraculous power given to him by the goddess Ambika. He immediatly composed the poem on it. According to it, Samrat Chandragupta made the golden image of Pārsvanatha and its pratistha was performed probably through Śruta-Kevali Bhadrabahu. This evidence is of a very late period and so there is much doubt about its correctness.
trone.
After Chandragupta's abdication, his son Bindusara came to the He seems to have followed the faith of his father. Asoka succeeded Bindusara on the throne. His early faith seems to be Jainism, the faith of his forefathers; but afterwards, he became a Budhhist by the influence of the
1. SBE., Vol. 22, p 293 3 The Early History of India, p. 154. (See also F. N. 3) 4. Bhagavan Pārsvanatha ki Paramparā kā Ithusa, p 273
2. Udaipur Rajya kā Itrhāsa, p 354.
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