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An old version of the Jaina Ramayana
as vidyadharas, and the vänaras are likewise portrayed as vidyadharas. In general, the vidyadharas seem to be amiable beings, and befitting pious tradition they renounce the world and join an ascetic order. They have their own kings, laws, cities and law courts. But the vidyadhara is also represented as licentious, jealous, and an abductor of women. Moreover, the Jainas emphasize, a breech of the moral code on the part of a vidyadhara can cost him his divine dignity as well as his magic art. "A vidyadhara must not show disrespect or do injury to the Jaina shrines, to ascetics or to a Jaina couple, otherwise the vidyös will abandon him." declares Dharana, and has his law inscribed in the edicts on the jewelled walls.?
In the KSS we are told that the vidyadharas have two inythical regions (ved yard ha) in the Himalayan mountains, forming two major kingdoms assigned to the most distinguished vidyadharas. But once a certain Rsabha propiated God Śiva with such powerful austerities that he was granted soveraignty over both the regions, and therefore over all vidyadharas. The KSS description tallies with the description offered by the Jainas; the similarity between Rşabha, the first emperor of the vidyadharas, and Usabha (Rşabha), the first Tirthankara of the Jainas, is also noteworthy here. It is most probable that the Brhatkatha of Guņādhya was the common source for both versions.
The Jaina Rāmāyaṇa Presented in the Vasudevahindi
The Rāma story contained in the Vasudevahindi seems to be the oldest version of the Jain Rāmāyana and it is based more or less on Valmiki's popular version. The followiog are some of the main features of the tale:
(1) After accomplisbing the magic art pannatti, Rāvana, is honoured by the vid yadhara lords and is attended upon by them in Lanka,
The magic art Pannatti seems to have been quite popular among the vidvadharas. Dharana bestowed this magic art along with many others to Nami and Vinami (VH, 164). Pradyumna (the son of Krşņa by his queen Satyabhāma) obtained it from Kanakamala, a vidyadhari girl (92). Pradyumna gave it to Samba (son of Kršņa by Jambavati, 108), and Prabhavati bestowed it on her husband Vasudeva so that he could defeat hls enemy (308). Prajñaptikausika is mentioned in the BKSS (XX,304), the KSS (25. 258,289) and the BKM (5.160) as a guru of the vidyadharas. We are told in the KSS (111.52) that prince Naravābanadatta concentrated on the science of Prañapti, who thereupon presented herself to him, and be asked her about his parents.
Schriften, "Die Vidyadharas in der buddhistischen Literatur und Kunst," pp. 104-119 7 Vasudevahindi, 264, 20-21; Tri şaspisalākāpuru şacarita 1.3.213, 8 KSS 109, 61-74; 110.18. 9 L. Atsdorf, ZDMG, (1938) Vol. 92, p. 479.
