Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 574

Sec. Iv] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA 549 Ulluyatīra (Ullukatīra)'
Ulluyatīra was a small town in the north-eastern quarter of which was situated a Caitya called Ekajambuka. It was hallowed by the two visits of Lord Mahāvīra. It has not yet been identified.
Vāņārasī (Vārāṇasī)?
Vānārasz was the celebrated city of Vārānasz or Kāsi, which finds mention also in other Jaina texts, Buddhist and Brāhmaṇical works, and Chinese recordsø as a great centre of culture with its political, social, economic and religious life. It is said to have been visited by Gośāla Mankhaliputra in one of his former births when he abandoned the body of Mandika possessed by him and entered into (i.e. took birth) that of Roha there at the Kāmamahāvana Caitya lying outside the city.'
Vārānasî was the birth place of the seventh and twentythird Tirthankaras Lord Supārśva and Lord Pārsvanātha. It was intimately associated with the development of Brāhmaṇism, Jainism and Buddhism, Vārānasz is identified with the present city of Vārāṇasī itself.
Viibhaya (Vitībhaya)
Vizbhaya was the capital city of Sindhu-Sauvīra. It is here in the Mrgavana garden Lord Mahāvīra initiated its king U dāyana to monkhood. This city is also mentioned in other Taina textslo as the capital of tne same united kingdom which was one of the twenty-five and a half-Aryan countries.
It is identified with Bhera which stands on the left bank of the river Jhelum in the Dhahapura district in West Punjab."
* Bhs, 16, 3, 502; 16, 5, 574.
Ib, 15, 1, 540. 8 Pannavaņā Sutta, 1, 37 ; Uvāsagadasão, Ed. Hoernle pp. 909,
etc. 4 Digha Nikaya, !I, 146; III, p. 141, etc. 0 Visnu Purana, 5th Amsa, Ch. 34; Kävya Mimāṁsā of Rāja
sekhara (Vārāṇasyāh paratah) & Beat's Records of the western world, II, pp. 45 ff. ? Bhs, 15, 1, 550. 8 Āvaśyaka Niryukti, 382, 384, 1302.
Bhs, 13, 6, 491. 10 Pannavanā Sutta, 1, 37, p. 55a. 11 Imperial Gazetteer, Vol. II, p. 385.