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70: Śramaņa, Vol 62, No. 3, July-September 2011
The uncertainty about the places of important events in the life of any histoic person is a matter of great concern. There is no such ambiguity about another contemporary of Mahavira viz, Lord Buddha. Over long periods of time, such ambiguity may even lead to doubting the very existence of Mahavira as a real person in life and blood.
The Shortcomings
A brief survey of the written material, books and articles, on the issue shows the following shortcomings:
a.
b.
C.
d.
e.
References/resources picked selectively to suit one's contention, leading to biased conclusions.
Ignoring the context or situation in Mahavira's times. Not accounting for "Poetic exaggeration" in narration. In this regard it is important to remember that, with passage of time, a great deal of myth starts building up around famous personalities. Greatest weightage must, therefore, be given to the sources which are chronologically closest to the event under consideration. Later sources may be given corroborative status. Similarly 'original sources' take precedence over the commentaries or secondary sources. Sometimes the latter introduce a few things which do not occur in the original. Take the case of Satkhaṇḍāgama and Kaṣāyapāhuḍa. They donot contain any reference of Mahavira's birthplace but the later commentaries such as Dhavalā or Jaidhavalā do. This has to be kept in mind. Also to be kept in mind are the changes that take place in meaning of words or the changes in the geographical territories of states, or in names.of places, specially when centuries elapse during the intervening period.
f
Misinterpretation or wrong translation of original sources. Lack of professional knowledge.
Insufficient search for all relevant material.
