________________
230
तीर्थंकर पार्श्वनाथ
the Buddha followed in the early stages of his ascetic career were the Sramanic practices, prevailing in the Jaina codes of ascetic life from the pre-Mahavira times at least from the times of Parsva. Some scholars are of the opinion that for sometime in the early stage of the self-denying career, the Buddha followed the tradition of Parsvanatha. Buddha was influenced in his ascetic career by the teaching and the methods of Parsvanatha. In Anguttara Nikaya, it is said that Buddha's uncle Bappa Sakya was'a Nigganta Sravaka following the tradition of Parsva's teachings. It is therefore clear that Parsva tradition was known and was followed at the time of Buddha and Mahavira.
There is an episode related to Acarya Bhadrabahu, wherein once again we find an instance of the continuity of Parsvanatha Worship. According to tradition Varahamihira the famous astronomer was the younger brother of Bhadrabahu. This younger brother, as time advanced, developed Jealousy to his elder brother, namely, Bhadrabahu. In his life time, the younger brother tried to claim superiority over his elder brother. However, he was not successful. After certain time the younger brother died and took birth as Vyantaradeva. Now recalling the incidents of his earlier birth, he desired to take revenge against Bhadrabahu. So he inflicted injury to the entire Sangha of Bhadrabahu. This being formented by Vyantara, Muni's approached the acarya Bhadrabahu and beg him to see that the troubles caused by Vyantara were halted. Now acarya Bhadrabahu composed Upasargahara stotra, comprising nine stanzas praising Bhagavan Parsvanatha. It is stated that this stotra had a miraculous power. As days advanced acarya Bhadrabahu learnt that the miraculous power of this stotra was being misused. Therefore, he removed from it last two stanzas to prevent the misuse of the same, and as a result it is stated that now only seven stanzas of Upasargahara stotra are remaining.
