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 189

The Hari-Dynasty
ii
tthipura) 97 Sanghadāsa, 98 Jinasena99 (II) and Hemacandra,100 however, represent a different tradition about Vasu's lineage According to their versions Vasu was son of king Abhicandra of ibe Hari dynasty. Now, unlike the versions noted before, the slatemcnts of the above authors are, on some important points, in substantial agreement with the Brahmanical representation101 of Vasu Thus, like the Brahmanical sources, these authors refer to his capital as Suklımati, stated to have been situated on the bank of the river of the same name Furthermore, they represent him as connected with the kingdom of Gedi.
Now it is evident from the above study that all the nonconforming Jaina versions, when collated, present a ludicrous motley of confused and contradictory statements Nevertheless, we may scrape together, from these divergent and discrepant statements some important facts, which, when correlated, point to the same tiuth about Vasu as is revealed by the Brahmapical tradition" Thus, what emerges from these notices 16 that Vasu was a descendant of king rapatz102, and belonged to the Arla race from which the line of thc jādavas sprang Furthremors, he was king of Cedi, was considered an authority on matters of religious importance and fell from his pristine glory because of giving false judgement with regard to a religius dispute.103
The works in question are at variance also with regard to Vasu's sons and successors The VH10% gives their number as eight, but names only two of them. The version alleges that
97 Comp notes 95 and 98 (ante) 98. VH p 357 99 JHV, 17 86-37a 100 TSPC, Vol IV p 144 101 MBh 1 63 1-35, Vāyup 93 26, 99 219-221, HV 1 80 14-15, 1 82. 90-91
Vis P + 19-80 Mat 50 23-24 Garuda i 140 26-30. 1112 Note 94 supra 103 VPC 11 21-25, RPC 11 34-72, JHV 1763-164, UP 67 276 81,, 329
36, 385-439, TSPC, Vol IV pp 144f, and comp MBh, Āfoamedhika.
parvan, 91 8-23, Väyup 67 97-110 104, p 857