Kevalaodhi Buddhist And Jaina History Of Deccan Vol 2

Author(s): Aloka Parasher Sen, B Subrahmanyam, E Siva Nagi Reddy
Publisher: Bharatiya Kala Prakashan

Page 42

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Kevala-Bodhi --Buddhist and Jaina History of the Deccan
at Dharashiva in Osmanabad district. However, Vasudevahindi, a text written in the 4th-5th century AD refers to the regions of Maharatta' with the capital at Vachhagumma or Vatsagulma, Bhojakada, identified with the talukas of Amaravati and parts of Wardha in Vidarbha and cities like Kumdinapura or Kaundinyapur in Amaravati district and Paittha or Paithan. Apart from this, there are a number of references to Maharashtra in the Bhashya literature of Jainas. According to Brhatkalpabhashya, bananas used to grow in plenty, while woollen clothes used to be sold in large quantity and there used to be flags on the liquor shops in Maharashtra." The text mentions that the Digambara Jaina monks of Maharashtra used to wear 'ventak' (a type of ring) on their penis. Vyavahārabhashya refers to a dispute between the resident of Lata and the resident of Maharashtra over an umbrella. There are references to Konkan and the famous port of Suparaka or Sopara. In Brhatkalpabhashya, Suparaka is referred to as a big trading centre. The same text mentions that the people of Konkan were very fond of flowers and fruits and they used to earn their livelihood by selling these.” The text also refers to an incidence when a few Jaina monks spent the night in the dense forest of Konkan, a monk killed three lions during the night vigil and he was forgiven due to circumstances. Since it used to rain heavily in this region, the monks were allowed to carry an umbrella here. Thus, it is clear that the Jainas had first-hand knowledge of the region in ancient times. However, since these Bhashya texts, though definitely later, have not been dated with certainty it is difficult to determine the exact period they depict. Of these texts, Brhatkalpabhāshya is supposed to have been written by Sanghadāsagani," who flourished in the 6th century AD.
However, from the 8th century AD regular archaeological evidences of Jainism start appearing in this region. Below is the list of Jaina remains of Maharashtra, arranged chronologically.
List of Jaina Remains in Maharashtra
DATE
PLACE
REMAINS
REMARKS
6th century AD
Dharashiva, Osmanabad dt.
Six caves.
7th century AD
Shirpur, Dhule dt.
A bronze.
Only Cave II and III are finished, while the rest are unfinished, rough excavations. It is inscribed. Now it is in the Muni Punyavijaya Collections, L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahemadabad. Hoards of twenty-seven Jaina bronzes are found at the site.
8th century AD
Rajanapur Khinkhini, Two Ambika figures." Murtazpur taluka, Akola dt. Chahardi, Chopda Chauvisi with an inscription." taluka, Jalgaon dt. Altem, Hatkanangale An inscription referring to taluka, Kolhapur dt. a Jaina temple in the city."
Though the grant refers to Chalukyan king Pulakēśin and is dated to 488 A. D., it is found to be spurious (Fleet, 1900) There are two more Brāhmaṇical caves.
Ambejogai, Bid dt.
A cave.
Late 8th
century AD