Temple of Satrunjaya

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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Prithvipitha, the crown of the earth; and Patalamala, having its founda
tion in the lower regions.96
“Whatever purity", says the Māhātmya, "may be acquired by prayers, penances, vows, charity, and study, in other artificial tirthas, cities, groves, hills, etc., tenfold more is acquired in Jaina tīrthas, a hundredfold more at the caityas of the Jambu tree, a thousand-fold more at the everlasting Dhataki tree, at the lovely caitya of Puskaradvipa, at the mountain Anjana. Yet ten-fold more still is obtained at the Nandisvara, Kundaladri, Manusottaraparvata.97 In proportion, ten thousand times more at the Vaibhara, 98 Sametadri, Vaitadhya, Meru, Raivata 99 and Astapada.100 Infinitely more, however, is obtained by the mere sight of Satrunjaya. Lastly, it cannot be told how much is acquired by devoting oneself to the worship of it.”101 Elsewhere the author exclaims, "I have heard, O ye gods, from the mouth of Srimat Simandhara Svami, when once I went to the Ksetra Mahavideha: Any; and ever so great a sinner, by worshipping Sri Satrunjaya is absolved from sin and becomes a partaker of perfection."
Many of the legends have no connection whatever with the hill. We give one as a specimen 102: About the time of Vikrama or Vikramaditya, there lived at Kampilyapura a pious merchant named Bhavada. Having hospitably entertained two holy men who visited his house, he became the possessor of a mare of wonderful qualities. He then acquired great wealth by the breeding of horses, and having made a present of unicoloured horses to Vikrama, he received in return the gift of Madhumati (Mohwa) and twelve other towns in Saurashtra. His wife Bhavala also bore him a son whom he called Javada. In commemoration of the birth he erected a temple to Mahavira in a town he had built and named Javada. When the lad had
To these the Mahatmya adds Mahabala, Sriyahpada, Parvatendra, Subhadra, Drdhasakti, 'Akarmaka, Sasvata, Puspadanta, Mahapadma, Prabhapada, Kailasa, and Ksitimandanamandana (1, 331-334). Colebrooke, Essays, Vol. II. p. 222; Asiat Res., Vol. IX. p. 320 ; Wilson, Visnu Purana, p. 200. One of the hills surrounding Rajagrha, the ancient capital of Magadha or S. Bihar. On the top of it and other neighbouring hills there are Jaina temples, and the cave occupied by the great Buddha is still to be seen in one of the hills. --Dr. Bhau Daji. Mount Girnar. Colebrooke, Essays, Vol. II. p. 208; Asiat. Res., Vol. IX. p. 305. The same as Kailasa, Hemacandra, Abhidhana Cintamani, 1028 Satrunjaya Mahat., I. 341-346; Weber, pp. 22 and 60-61. This legend is given by Forbes in his Ras Mala, pp. 9-11, but it is here modified in accordance with the Mahatmya, XIV. 124-282.
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