Jinamanjari 1996 04 No 13

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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appears to be fully explained by the following riks from the Rig Veda:
Brahma among gods, leader of the poets, risi of sages,buffalo among animals, hawk among birds,axe among weapons, over the sieve goes Soma singing. The thrice-bent bull goes on roaring -- The Great God has completely entered the mortals. Rudra is the lord of creatures (IX-9-66).
In the light of the above interpretation of the MohenjoDaro seal and what appears to be some form of agreement contained within the Rig Veda it would appear that it should be easy to identify the statuette under description by a reference to the Rig Veda. While leading an archaeological expedition to Afghanistan, the writer had occasions to verify the records of Yuan Chwang (600-654 A.D.). His description of Hosina Ghazni or Ghazna, Hazara or Hosala is of great significance:
There are many tirthaka [author's italics] heretics here, who worship the Ksuna Deva. Those who invoke him with faith obtain their wishes. People both far off and near show for him deep reverence. High and low alike are filled with religious awe of him.... The tirthakas by subduing their minds and mortifying flesh get from the spirits of heaven sacred formulae with which they control diseases and recover the sick.
Ksuna Deva (Suna or Sisna Deva) was probably tirthakara or tirthankara, or possibly their followers that illumined the pantheon of Jainism, famous for its gospel of ahimsa. The record of Yuan Chwang bears testimony to the spread of Jainism even in Afghanistan. In the life account of Buddha we read that his foremost opponents were six chiefs or tirthakas: Puana, Kassaya, Gosala, Kuccayana, Nigantha Nathaputta and
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