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SOME JAINA CANONICAL SOTRAS
Kotisilā is a tīrtha in Magadha. Cakrāyudha, the first ganadhara, fasted at this place, with the result that he attained perfection. Many saints practised penances here and attained perfection.
Apāpapuri1: Near it is still to be seen a mountain cave reverberating with the voice of the antima-jina (Mahāvira). In course of his peregrinations Mahāvīra came from Jşmbhikā to the forest of Mahāsena. Eleven ganadharas, Gautama and the rest, were initiated here. Vardhamana fasted here for two days, then imparted his last instruction, and having arrived at the toll-house of king Hastipāla, attained Nirvāna.
Vaibhāragiri 2: This hill has a well of juice having the power to remove poverty and a kundu of hot and cold water. Here shine the peaks of Trikūta and Khandika. Here are to be seen various kinds of medicinal herbs, rivers like the Sarasvati, many popular shrines like Magadha, Locana, etc., and many images of Arhats in the temples. On a visit to Sālibhadra and Dhanyarşi, one gets freed from all sins. The lion, the tiger and other beasts of prey do not create disturbances at these shrines. On all sides, the vihāras are to be seen. In ancient times, it was the residence of the heroes like Rauhineya. Rājagrhapura stands in the valley of this mountain. In later times it was known by such names as Kșitipratiştha, Canakapura, Rşabhapura, Kuśāgrapura, and Rājagpha. Here was a lovely temple called Guņaśila. Metāryya built here the rampart of Sātakaumbha. Here were born wealthy bankers like Sālibhadra. Here existed thirty-six thousand houses of merchants. Jina Suvrata performed his religious vow at the shrine of Aśvāvabodha. Jarāsandha, Sreņika, Kūņika, Abhaya, Megha, Halla, Vihalla and Nandisena hallowed the place by their noble birth. Eminent ascetics like Jambusvāmin, Krtapunya and Sejjambhava, and devoted wives like Nandā were born here.
1 It was hero that Mahāvīra breathed his last. It was also at this placo that the Buddha ato his last moal at the house of Cunda the smith and was attacked with dysentery. The Mallas used to resido here. The nine Malla chiefs to mark the passing away of the great Jina were among those that instituted an illumination on the day of the new moon saying, 'Since the light of intelligence is gone, let us make an illumination of material matter.' According to some Pāvā, Pāpā or Pāvāpuri is the same as Kasia situated on the littlo Gandak river to the east of the district of Corakhpore. It seems that tho city was situated near Rājgir in Bihar. Mahāvīra left his mortal oxistenco when he was dwelling in the palace of king Şaştipāla of Pāvā. Four beautiful Jain ternples were built at tho spot where Mahāvīra left his mortal existenco (B. C. Law, Geographical Essays, p. 210; P. C. Nahar, Tirtha-Pāvāpuri. 1926).
2 Vaibhāragiri also called Vebhāra is a mountain in Magadha (Patna and Gaya districts). The city of Girivraja is encircled by five hills of which Vebhāra is one. Vide B. C. Law, Rājagrha in Ancient Literature, M.A.S.I., no. 58).
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