Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 7

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 211

HISTORICAL ROLE OF JAINISM
P. KISHORE KUMAR*
According to traditions, Jainism remained in association with Andhra Pradesh from the earliest times, but the substantial and historical evidence is from the second century B. C. as it is clear from the Guntupalli inscription of Khārvela. Jainism gradually developed in this region because of the royal patronage, munificence of the bankers and the great efforts of the religious teachers. The kings, their ministers and bankers built temples and installed images in them. They also gave different kinds of charities. The religious teachers preached ethics, but not religious dogmas. Besides, they placed high idealism of their character before the people. They wanted to bring about moral uplift of the people. As a result, Jainism was accepted by a large number of people. Besides, these religious teachers were great scholars, and they wrote many works on different subjects. Thus, they enriched Indian literature.
1. LEGENDARY ASSOCIATION OF JAINISM BEFORE MAHĀ VĪRA
There are legendary traditions of the early association of Jainism with Andhra Pradesh. It is said that Bāhubali, son of the first Tirthankara Prabhādeva, established his kingdom with Podana as his capital. Podana is identified with Bodhana in the Nizāmābād district of Andhra Pradesh.1 This place contains many Jaina antiquities including sculptures and inscriptions. Further, the tenth Jaina Tirthařkara Sitalanātha 2 was born at Bhadalpura or Bhadrapura8 which is identified by some with Bhadrachalam on the river of Godā vari4.
2. JAINISM DURING THE PERIOD OF MAHĀVĪRA (Cir. 600 B.C.)
There are traditions even of Mahāvira's visit to South India. Mahāvira lived during the sixth century B. C. The Jivandharacharita, of Bhāskara,. informs that Jivandhara, who was the ruling chief of this region at this time, was a Jaina. He cordially received Mahāvira and became an ascetic after obtaining dikșa from him. Jivandhara seems to
*Ujjain (M. P.). 1. B. S. L. Hanumantha Rao : RA, p. 144. 2. EI, XX, p. 85. 3. IA, II, p. 136. 4. Ibid.