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

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Aspects of Brahmanical Influence on the Jaina Mythology
the eighth Baladeva of the Jaina faith The rest of the works under investigation begin their Rāmāyana versions either with a brief introduction of Dasaratha53 or with that of Anaranyass who is introduced in the story as former's father This portion is very important from the standpoint of comparative mythological study, for it contains the names of some such personages as are known to us, from the epic puranic sources, as the bygone sovereigns of unique achievements These are, for instance, Kakutstha,55 Pṛthu, Mändhātṛ, Anaranja, Vijaja Saudāsa, Raghu, Nahusa50 and Aja
A comparison of the Jaina Puranic lists with those occurring in the Brahmanical epic-Puranic texts, however, reveals that the above names do not recur in the Jaina works in the same genealogical position as they do in the Brahmanical sources The order of succession, too, is entirely different from that in the epics and the Brahmanical Purānas. The names as occurring in the three lists, subject to some variations, are in general agreement Of the three lists, that in VPC may naturally be taken as the source of the remaining two lists The genealogy as given by VPC says that king Vijaya of Saketa had two sons Vajrabahu and Purandara The elder renounced the world and the younger brother succeeded to the throne Thus, the order of descent is as follows 57
(1) Vijaya, (11) Purandara, (111) Kirtidhara, (iv) Suhosala, (v) Hiranyagarbha, (vi) Naghuşa, (vii) Sodasa, (vi) Simharatha, (ix) Brahmaratha, (x) Calurmukha, (x1) Hemaratha, (x1) rasoratha, (x1) Padmaratha, (xiv) Mṛgaratha, (xv) Śasıratha, (xvi) Raviratha, (xvu) Mändhatt, (xvi) Udararatha, (xix) Virasuṣena, (xx) Prativacana, (1) Kamalabadhu, (xx) Raviśatru, (xx) Vasantatilaka, (xxiv) Kuberadatta, (xxv) Kunthu, (xxvi) Sarabha, (xxv) Viratha, (xxvi) Rathamirghoşa, (xxix) Mṛgārıdamana, (xxv) Hiranjanabha,
53 UP 87 148 PMP LXIX, 11 cmc p 175
54 SPC 15 8 4-8
55
For the adjusted order of descent of these kings, see Pargiter, op cit. pp 145 and 147
50 He finds mention, in all the three works, as Naghuşa see Lelow 57 VPC, 21.41 to 22 101,