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Like Tantra, Vidya-powers also have been
assimilated in Jainism for securing peace and tranquility of body, mind and soul. The Jaina apparently became
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conscious of the Vidyas from atleast 5th century A.D., although we have some stray references to Vidyas even in the earlir Jaina works." Jaina tradition speaks of as
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many as 48,000 Vidyas, out of which only sixteen are considered to be principal or Mahavidyas." According 45 10 of all the conception in Jaina Iconography, the conception of Vidyadevis or goddesss of learning is most original. In no other religion, the Goddess of learning are so numerous." Some of these Mahavidyas like Rohini, Prajñapti, Kali, Apraticakra, Mahākāli, Gauri, Vairotya, Manasi, vajrasrinhala, Jvālāmalini and Mahāmānasi also became the Yaksis in about the 8th and 9th century A.D.46 By the medieval period, Kuṣmaṇḍī (or Ambikā), Padmavati, vairotys, and Jvālāmalini came to the forefront as the most powerful of all the Vidyas invoked and adored by the Jainas.47
to Bhattacharya
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The earliest Vidya to be worshipped by the Jainas was Sarasvati, afterwards also called the srutadevata, the personified knowledge embodied in the sacred Jaina scriptures
preached by the Jinas and the Kevalins.48 She is regarded
as the superintending deity of knowledge and learning in the
