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I am sorry that I cannot help you with much information that can be of use to you. There is no reference to the Tirthankara Pārśva in any Kharosthi inscriptions. He is not mentioned in the Manikyala and Taxila inscriptions and I do not under. stand how the author you refer to can have found any reference to him in these records. There is not a single word which could support his statement. On the other hand, there is a Mathura Brahmi inscribed on the left side of the upper part of the base of Jaina image (Epigraphia India Vol. II p. 207, No. xxix) Sthānikiya kule ganisya Uggahiniya sisho vācako Ghoshako ārhato Parsvasya pratismā...... "in the Sthāpakiya kula, the pupil of the ganin Uggahini the preacher Ghoshaka (dedicates) an image of the Arbat Parsva. The inscription comes from the Kankāli Tila, but is not dated, but several records found in the same place bave dates, ranging between the year 4 and 94 of Kanishka-era i. e. accordingly to the chronology, I think we must adopt, between era 130 and 236 A. D. The Pārśva inscription may perhaps belong to the latter half of the second century A. D., but it is impossible to give a definite date. That is all I can say and I am afraid that you will not think it very important. But I know your deep respect for truth and you will therefore expect me to write only what is certain and can be proved. I am getting old, have passed the 70, and I shall retire from my professorship by the end of this month. But I hope that I shall be able to go on with my work and nothing would give me more satisfaction than if I could be of any use to you in your noble work.
With all good wishes,
Yours sincerely, STEN KONOW www.umaragyanbhandar.com
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
