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Renuka J. Porwal
SAMBODHI Jinas Suparsva and Jina Parsva were worshipped as Mulanayakas or there may be more than one shrines where these Mulnayaka images were worshipped. The legend of construction of Stupa
The Katha of Mathura's stupa is well described in this V. T. kalp including its controversy with other faiths. The author described, that during the period of seventh Jina Suparsva two Jain monks Dhammarui and Dhammaghosa visited the city of Mathura and stayed in the park named as Bhua ramanals. The presiding deity Kubera of the park converted herself to Jaina faith on seeing them following the Aparigraha Vrata and performing severe austerities. She wanted to bestow a boon but they refused to accept. Then the Devi erected a Stupa at Mathura in one night for the worship of Jaina Samgha.
The Katha further goes on describing the Stupa - it was made of Gold studded with jewels. It had toranas, gateways and banners having three Vedikas for Pradaksina moreover the top of the same was decorated with triple umbrella20. Devas, Sadhus and laymen were coming for adoration. There arose a controveresy over the ownership of the stupa with Vaishnavas, Saivities and Buddists in later period21. They all claimed their individual proprietorship. The dispute was over with intervention by some mediators of the city. They adviced "Ma Kalaheh ! (Don't quarrel !), this is the 'Deva Nirmita Stupa' so doubts will be clarified by Deva only. Keep a painted cloth (pado) with the name of one's own deity and hide it. The Devi will keep her own faith and other padas will be thrown out.” Jaina Samgha wrote Suparsvaswami on the cloth and this pado/cloth remained there and others were thrown by Devi22. So it was declared as Arihanta Deva Stupa and the painted cloth with the name of Arihanta - Suparsvanath was carried out in a procession in the city. The process of adoring it also mentioned in Kalpa23.
A splendid Stupa remained open until the 23rd Jina Parsvanatha visited. In his period a local king attempted to grab its treasure but was killed by protecting deity Kubera. The deity then requested Jain Samgha to cover the golden stupa with bricks and sand and to establish Parsvanatha image as the protective Jina, as her lifespan was less. Jain Samgha obeyed the Devi's instruction. The Deity even informed that whoever becomes king at Mathura must establish Jina Pratima/image otherwise he will not survive. One pedestal of Sarvatobhadra image24 in Mathura museum contains the devotees on either side of wheel wearing dress like royal personage. There is one sculpture of procession going to adore stupa which is now in Lucknow Museum available from the site of Stupa25. In the same museum there is one pedestal of Jina image contains the inscription in Brahmi character which denotes the establishment of that image at the “Deva nirmita Stupa”.
Later on Jaina laymen established the Arhata images in their homes and worshipped them, they even placed the same on the door lintels for protections.
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