Book Launch at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan America on 11 May 2003, commemmorating AHINSA DIVAS

[Guest guest]

JAINBADRI (SHRAVANABELGOLA) KE BAHUBALI

TATHA DAKSHIN KE ANYA JAIN TIRTHA (Hindi)

By Surendranath Shripal Jain; Foreword by Sarojini Jain

Preface by SwastiShri Charukirti Bhattarakji

Photography by Mahendra Visaria, Gopal Bodhe, Sameer Chawda

Jain Publicity Bureau, Mumbai;1st edition 1953

2nd paperback edition 2003; 73 art pages

Rs. 250.00

 

This is a very well researched Art Book on the Jain Tirtha

Shravanabelagola and its surrounding areas. The book was originally

written as a scholarly travelogue. It has 60 pages of breathtakingly

beautiful full-colour photographs and is printed on deluxe art paper.

 

The book is extremely low priced, as it has been published for an

altruistic motive.

 

Book Review:

 

The idol of Bhagwan Bahubali at Shravanabelagola is deeply revered by

Jains and inspires devotion in them second only to Sammed Shikharji

in Bihar. It is at once an inspiring work of sculpture and an awesome

icon of the asceticism of Jain saints. The sheer grace of the granite

idol resplendent against the backdrop of the Chandragiri Hills is

breathtaking, a site that would be etched forever in the memory of the

onlooker.

 

The Gommateshwar Bahubali idol is the largest one piece idol in the

world. It is made of granite and is 57 feet tall. The site holds

special significance for Jains as the last Shruta Kevali Acharya

Bhadrabahu spent his last years here along with his disciple Emperor

Chandragupta Maurya. It is here that both of them passed away in the

traditional Jain manner of Sallekhana (voluntary death).

 

The Tapa of Bahubali has inspired many odes in Indian literature.

Bhagwan Bahubali is unmatched for his valour and his asceticism.

One moment he convincingly beat Bharat Chakravarti (the ruler of the

world) in single combat, and in the next he gave it all up to become a

naked Jain monk. The Digamber idol standing in Kayotsarga position

symbolises the mendicant deep in meditation. The highest stage of

meditation is said to be "Shukla Dhyana" where the the soul is fully

engrossed in itself, free of all temporal bondages. This idol of

Bhagwan Bahubali eloquently conveys the non-attachment, the

enlightened self-absorption of the soul engrossed in itself, and the

beatific bliss of Dhyana achieved by the Yogi.

 

The book has seven chapters describing Vindhyagiri, Chandragiri and

the nearby Tirthakshetras in vivid detail, including the hitherto

unphotographed Jina idols of Moodabidri. The text is well researched,

interesting and concise; the still camera plays the role of the major

narrator. Interesting historical details are thrown in. In the accompanying

socio-historical narrative, the contributions of 20th century Jain stalwarts

such as Seth Manikyachandra Jain, Seth Sukhanandji and Pt. Nathuramji Premi

are not forgotten by the diligent author.

 

Altogether, a cogent effort by a scholarly writer who, inspired by the

visual splendour of Gommateshwar Bahubali, draws a historically

accurate picture of Jain history, Jain culture and Jain iconography

as found in the Shravanabelagola and other Jain shrines in the Deccan.

Splendid photography lends aesthetic value to this well-produced book.

 

--

Reviewed by Manish Modi

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Book available at:

 

HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY

http://www.hindibooks.8m.com

Booksellers and Publishers

Hirabaug, C. P. Tank,

Mumbai 400004 INDIA

Phone: +91-22-23826739

Email: manish.modi