Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c15.s1.t1.2

c15.s1.t1.2

The Vijānuvāda Puva was one of the fourteen Purvas of the Jain canon wherein various spells and charms were described¹. According to the Bhagavatī, Gosāla was well-versed in eight divisions of Mahānimitta² and could foretell the profit and loss, happiness and sorrow and life and death of the people. It is stated in the Pamakalpa cūrṇi that the disciples ordained by Ajja Kālaka never stuck to asceticism and so the latter went to the Ājīvikas for the study of Nimitta as already stated. Later on Ajja Kālaka gave a show of his Nimitta in the presence of king Sātavāhana, who was very much pleased with him and wanted to offer him some ornaments which Kālaka refused to accept³. Then Bhadrabāhu was a great Naimittika and was versed in the science of spells (mantravāda), he composed the Upasargaharastotra and sent it to the sangha to avert trouble from a vyantara⁴. Ajja Khauḍa was another Jain saint who is described to be a master of charms.⁵ Thus we notice that the Jain monks practised charms and were versed in exorcism. In time of emergency they got alms by conjuring (vijāpiṇḍa),⁶ employing incantations (mantra-tikkha-joga), and distributing roots and bulbs to cure various diseases⁷ they also employed various medicines for causing impregnation and miscarriage 8 Sometimes when the Jam sādhus were waylaid in a forest, they placated the sylvan deity by means of kāyotsarga 9