Proceedings and papers of National Seminar on Jainology

Author(s): Yugalkishor Mishra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 57

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Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin No. 8
phase of this transition appears to have commenced from the sixth century AD-specifically from the declining days of the Gupta empire. Basing himself on the Buddhist account of Kaliyuga from Lankavatara Sutra, Yadava equates this period of Kaliyuga with the medievalism."
To discuss the significance of this co-relation between astrology and medieval is beyond the scope of the present article. At the same time, we like to refer to Dr. R. C. Hazra's observation that from the sixth century AD. Purtadharma, which involved the building of temples, tanks, works of public utility, was emphasised as the highest mode of religion.10
One can accrue, as Agni Purana points out, various types of benefits by erecting corresponding types of temples. For example, by building temple, a golden temple, one is freed from all sins. So, there is upswing in the temple-building activities during this period and we have already pointed in the foregoing that the planetary panels were fashioned for the protection of the temples. One can point out that the above reference is concerned with the Brahamanical rituals. So, how Jaina tradition comes into the picture in the Brahmanical milieu. Despite the differences in iconographic features of Navagraha icons, astrology and hence the cult of Navaraha, both Jaina and Buddhist traditions are derived from Brahmanical dogmas.
References :
1. Sacred Book of East, Jaina Sutras, p. 227
Uttaradhyayana- Translated by Herman Jacobi
2. Ibid. p. 226
3. The Jaina Iconography by B.C. Bhattacharya, 1974, p 9-10
4. Jaina Pratimā Vijñan by Dr. Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwary, p 249
5. The Development of Hindu Iconography by J.N. Banerjee, p. 144 6. Encyclopaedia Britanica, Vol. II, p. 641
7. Studies in the History of Science, Edited by Dr. D.P. Chattopahaya, p. 772
8. India's Past by A.A. Macdonnel
9. Indian Historical Review, Vol. V: The Accounts of the Kaliyuga of Social Transition from the Antiquity to Middle Ages by Dr. B. N. S. Yadava
10. Art under Feudalism in India by Dr. Devangana Desai