Book Title: Tulsi Prajna 1996 04
Author(s): Parmeshwar Solanki
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Page 163
________________ 10 3. Pabaravarani-Bandhanamoyaṇi” (Praharāvaraṇi-Bandhanamocani): In a war with the wicked vidyadhara king Asanighosa, king Śrivijaya had acquired these two vidyās by performing severe penance, 40 But how these vidyas helped him is, however not mentioned. 4. Sumbha-Nisumbha": TULSI-PRAJNĀ Another interesting pair of vidyas is Sumbha-Nisumbha. Unlike other vidyas, these could be easily obtained. A vidyadhara, in the guise of a magician, is recognized by Vasudeva and who in turn wants to bestow upon Vasudeva these two vidyas. He does so because Vasudeva is a deserving person. These two vidyas are said to be the source of happiness. The Sumbhā helped one to ascend and Nisumbha to descend in the air. Not only this, the person who had acquired these vidyas would find a flying car in front of him and then he would be able to ascent and descend.42 Thus we see that on one hand, some vidyas like Sumbhā-Nisumbhā are said to be easily accessible,43 the mahavidyas, on the other hand are difficult to obtain.44 All the vidyadharas had to follow strictly certain rules and regulations laid down by Usabha, Samjayanta and the serpent king Dharana. If they killed a man near a monk, a Jain shrine or if he was in the company of his wife or while he was sleeping, he was bound to loose his vidyas. Besides this, if any vidyadhara molested any maiden against her wish he would also be deprived of his vidyās. Moreover, anyone who violated a Jaina temple, a monk or a couple he would be deprived of these vidyas.45 In order to obtain or regain the lost vidyas, vidyadharas and even human beings had to observe severe penance. In order to acquire the sumbhā-nisumbha vidyas, Vasudeva had to go alone on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight to a lonely place. Having fasted on that day and after making the offerings, Vasudeva had to repeat the vidya i.e. the sacred syllable one thousand and eight times.46 Vasudeva performed severe austerities to acquire Rohini vidya.47 In another instance Prabhavati, in order to regain mahāpaṇṇatti had to stand in chest deep water of a pond called Avaria (Skt. Aparajita) in the Nandanavana for seven nights.48 In this way the acquistion of Mahāvidyas was not easy. However, the easiest way of acquiring vidyas was marriage. Syamali, the third wife of Vasudeva bestowed upon him two vidyās namely Bandhanavimokkhaṇī i.e. getting release from bondage and Pattalahuja i.c. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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