Sumati Jnana

SR No.: 012067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 468
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 14 MB

Page 40

Jaina Inscriptions From Khajuraho
Prof. A. K. Singh
Khajuraho is famous for its splendid architecture and sculptures. Most of the temples and sculptures of Brahmana and Jaina religion were completed during 9th 12th centuries. The sculpture of Buddha preserved in Archaeological Museum of Khajuraho indicate the presence of some Buddhist artifacts in the vicinity. In Chandella period, Khajuraho was also a famous Jaina centre as indicated by the temple of Pārsvanātha (c. 950-970 A.D.), Ghantas (10th century), and Ādinātha (11th century). Besides, the presence of several door-fra emples and sculptures confirm that there were many Jaina temples at Khajuraho. The place was the centre of Digambara Jaina tradition and the construction work is mainly related with Adinātha or Rsabhanātha.
ference between the construction of Brahamana and Jaina artifacts is that where construction related to Brahmana religion was patronized in general by royal personage while those of Jaina religion were generally by the help and donation of Sreshthin and rich persons. Jaina inscriptions from Khajuraho reveal the information regarding Sreshthin, Silpīs and Āchāryas. One Ksetrapāla Varesda is also find mention in an inscription.
Among the Śreshțhins related to the uplift of Jaina religion at Khajuraho, most of them are the member of Grahapati family and were the devotee of Tīrthankaras. Inscription of VS 1011 mention the name of Pāhila who gifted six vātikās and a vādī, namely the Pāhilla garden, the Chandra garden, the small Chandra garden, the Sankara garden, the Panchāitala garden, the mango garden, and the Dhanga garden ground. His family possesses a divine body and good disposition and he is endowed with the qualities of tranquility and selfcontrol, and takes compassion on all beings, is pleased by good people and held in honour by king Dhanga. One of the inscriptions mentions the name of Sreshthin Pāṇidhara, of the Grahapati family. Other inscription of VS 1205 also records the name of Pāṇidhara along with his sons, the Sreshthin Trivikrama, Alhana and Lakshmidhara. Jaina pedestal inscription of VS 1215 records that in the reign of Madanavarma the statue of Sambhavanātha was caused to be set up by the Sadhu Sālhe, the son of Pāhilla, who was the son of the Śreshthin Dedū, of the Grahapati family. The artisan who made the statue was Rāmadeva. The sons of Sālhe, namely Mahāgana, Mahīchandra, Sirichandra, Jinachandra, Udayachandra,