Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 3

Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 68

ÞACTS ABOUT GOMMATASARA
59 connected with those of Nemichandra, Chamundaraya and the erection of the Bahubali image.
As already hinted above, Nemichandra, being a disciple of Indranandi ( 939 A.D. ), and also owning Indranandi's another disciple Kanakanandi as his guru incorporating the latter's Sattvasthana in his Karma Kanda, could not have begun his ascetic career much before 940 A. The probable dates of his other gurus Abhayanandi, Viranandi and Ajitasena also confirm this conclusion. The Gommatasara was utilised by Amitagati (known dates 993-1016 A.D.) in his Sanskrit Pancha-Sangraha ( 1016 A.D.). Hence Nemichandra could not have lived much beyond 1000 A.D. His Trilokasara seems to have been written about 973 A.D.
The known period of Chamundaraya's activities is confined to 961984 A.D., and could not have started earlier than 950 A.D. and continued later than 990 A.D., in any way. His definitely known date is 978 A.D.
As regards the date of the erection of the Bahubali colossus, opinions differ widely, ranging from 907-908 A.D. (S, Srikantha Sastri-J.A. V 4, pp. 107-114 ) to 1028 A.D. (H.L. Jain--JSS. I, Introd. p. 31 ) While Dr. Shama Sastri ( MAR, 1923 ) also held the latter view, S.G. Choshal (SBJ. I, Intr. ) arrived at 980 A.D., J.L. Jaini at 983 A.D. (SBJ. V, Intr, ) and Govind Pai and N.C. Sastri at 981 A.D. (JSB. VI, 4, pp. 209, 261-266). Some others have suggested 978 and 984 A.D.
Of these the date 1028 A.D, may be summarily dismissed since the Gommatasara containing specific reference to the existence of the image was utilised by Amitagati ( 1016 A.D.) and Ranna ( 993 A.D. ) also speaks of its existence then. Similarly, the date 907-908 A.D. is not only too early, it does not at all suit the dates of Nemichandra, Chamundaraya and Ajitasena who presided the consecration ceremony of that image and was the guru of Chamundaraya, his mother Kalaladevi, wife Ajitadevi, son Jinadeva and master Ganga Marsimha ( died 974 A.D.). also of the poet Ranna (993 A.D.). Since Chamundaraya makes no mention of the image in his Purana ( 978 A.D.), it is generally supposed that it must have been erected some time after that date. There is no record of the date of the consecration of this Bahubali image except in a 16th century Sanskrit work, the Bahubali.charitra of Dodayya, which gives it as Sunday, the 5th day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra of year 600 of the Kalki era, when the Samvatsara was Vibhava, also supplying certain astral indications of the time. The details so minutely and precisely given appear to have been based on some well-founded tradition, But, the Kalki era commenced in 431 A.D., with the coming of the first Kalki who flourished at the end of the first millennium after