Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

SR No.: 011037
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shaktidhar Jha
Publisher: Bharat Bharti Bhandar
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 315
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 116

98
Aspects of Brahmanical Influence on the Jain Mythology
taken cognisance of these lines 51 The reason is obvious, for, the work in question relates the genealogy of the Haris, the Jinist counterparts of the Brahmanical Yadus, in general and the lifehistory of Kışna Vasudeva in particular Now it is obvious that any reasonable attempt to give an account of Krşna's exploits without any reference to his alliance with the Kauravas and Pandavas would be simply unthinkable Naturally it was under this historical exigency that the author of H.P. introduced the Kuru-vamsa with its genealogical details 52 But as the Vamša in question did not find place in the four great lines already enumerated by Vimalasārt and Radişena, so Jinasena, with an object of investing the Kuruline with a separate pedigree, has obviously removed Somaprabha from his original place as Bāhubalin's son and made him son and successor of Kuru53 and founder of the Kuruline 54
Now what our study of the canonical and non-canonical Jaina texts reveals is that it is in VPC that Somaprabha55 is mentioned for the first time as Ikşdāku's grandson ihrough Bahubalin and founder of the Soma branch of the Ilşvāku famıly
61 Supra note 48,-T5251977.
-Ibid 9 90, 100, "A1091 HOTE"
Ibid 9 214 62 infra chap V 53 "+costu ASTER FETES PHIQ"
- JHV 9 450 64 JHV, 45 6-40 55 That Somoprabha is a fresh recruit in thc Jana Purānic lorc may be
proved by his non-mention in the canonical texts wherein only Srejām'sa finds mention as a king of Hastinapura and is reported to have offered sugarcane juice to Lord Rsabha after he had broken his sixmonthly mcditative fast Thus silence about Somaprabha in the carly texts becomes all the more significant from historical and genealogical stand-point, for in all the Putānas beginning from JHV onwards, he is mentioned together with Sreyãi'sa and ultimatcly overshodows the latter as the founder of an independent royal dynasty In fact, among thc purānic personages of Jainism possibly none has undergone so much change in position both genealogically and chrogologically as Scor aprı bha did Vide Infra Ikşvālu dynasty, Chap V,