Life and Stories of Jaina Savior Parcvanatha

Author(s): Maurice Bloomfield
Publisher: Maurice Bloomfield

Page 63

The wicked Kāpālika
He recommended her to call to mind the Jina who destroys the serpent's poison of Kandarpa (the God of Love), and who acts like the Great Garuḍa charm 12 (mahāgāruḍamantrabham jinam). Kamalākṣā declared that Bhima's mere speech has cured her of the poison of illusion, and asked him to teach her the salvation which destroys all pain (195-244).
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While they were thus communing, sweet sounds arose, which Kamalākṣā explained as coming from the chants of Munis. Bhīma rejoiced; Kamalākṣā showed him the way to the Munis, and then proceeded to her own home, promising to return with her retinue. While Bhima was paying his respects to the Munis, headed by their Guru, a great she-serpent (mahābhujā) appeared from heaven, and alighted before him. Wondering what she was, and whither she was going, he sprang upon her back. Desiring to cross the heavens, he shone there like Acyuta (Krṣṇa), mounted upon the Kaliya-serpent, like a mariner whose ship is wrecked and who desires to save himself upon a plank 13 (261). After traversing many rivers, forests, and mountains, they came upon a temple of Kālikā (Durgā), built, or adorned with men's bones, skulls, etc. In the centre of that temple stood a frightful image of Kālikā, in front of which he saw the wicked Kāpālika holding a beautiful man (who turns out to be Matisagara) by the hair. Bhima hid himself, in order to
A charm that cures snake poison.
"The phalaka or kāṣṭhaphalaka, 'wooden board,' represents the stenciled method by which shipwrecked mariners save themselves and get to shore; see, e. g. Parçvanatha 2. 261; 2. 925; 8. 21; Kathās. 25. 46; 36. 99; 52. 328; 67. 61; Daçakumaracarita i, p. 9; Samaradityasamkṣepa 4. 98; 5. 155, 218, 269, 278, 360; 6. 106; 7. 508. This is one of the features of 'naufragium,' shipwreck,' one of the most prized devices of Hindu fiction. This links itself with the motifs, 'Treasure-Island,' 'Jonah,' and 'Sirens.' Of all this elsewhere.
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