________________
186
The Unknown Pilgrims
majority belong to this present day and some are authors of literary
works. 142
f) On Holy Mount Ābū
Abū, of which the ancient name was Arbudácala, from arbuda which, according to certain legends, means a serpent-demon or, according to another view, ten millions, is a mountain bordering both Rājasthāna and Gujarāta, a very beautiful lonely place, well known since ancient times for its attraction for sages. The Mount is considered holy by Hindus and Jainas alike. Far away from all habitation, close to a forest, in a place called Delavādā, five Jaina temples are to be found within a spacious enclosure. Of these, two especially are marvels of architecture, chiselled in white marble. The most ancient temple, dedicated to Adinātha, was built at the beginning of the Xlih century thanks to the generosity of a Jaina minister of that period, Vimala, from whom its name: Vimala Vasahi, is taken.143 The second, Lūņa Vasahi, dedicated to Neminātha, was constructed two centuries later on the initiative of two Jaina ministers, twin brothers, literary patrons of the period, Vastupāla and Tejapāla. 144
The unique location and the presence of these temples have conspired to make of Mount Abū an eminent pilgrimage-place. Throughout the ages sādhvis have loved to visit it. Among the great number of inscriptions found in these temples, one observes certain ones in which the names of sadhvis appear. These inscriptions, which simply' record dates and lists of names, are nevertheless the living concrete expression of the caturvidhasamgha. Thanks to these inscriptions we know that sādhvis came there on pilgrimage and that certain Sūris, Ācāryas, Ganis, Upādhyāyas and Munis, accompanied by śrăvakas and śrāvikās, were also actively present. One observes in
142 Cf. Prākrit Bhārati, 1977. index: these sädhvis nearly all belong to he \two reformed sects, viz. the Sthānakavāsis and the Terāpanthis.
143 Vasahi or Vasati denotes an abode and, thence, a temple.
144 These temple belong to the Svetāmbaras, but are visited by the members of the other communities; in the same place, on the other side of the road, is found a Digambara temple.
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