Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c15.s1.t3.1

c15.s1.t3.1

The Vijjāharas or “wisdom-holders” were spirits like fairies or sylphs who occupied an important place in the Jain texts.¹⁰⁴ The Vijjāharas were essentially spirits of the air (*khecara*), and were described as travelling in their excellent cars (*caracimāna*) which they could make at their will. They are represented as devotees of Jain religion and frequently we meet them bound for the pilgrimage of the Nandisara dīva or the Atthivava mountain.¹⁰⁵ The Vijjāharas also joined the Jain ascetic order :* they are represented as wicked beings carrying off the maidens during the time of their wedding.¹⁰⁷ The home of the Vijjāharas was chiefly the mountain Veyaddha. Several Vijjāhara rulers are mentioned¹⁰⁸