Jainism in Bengal
Summary
The article "Jainism in Bengal" by Chitta Ranjan Pal argues that while the Nirgranthas, or Jainas, failed to expand their influence into North India after the decline of Buddhism there by the tenth century A.D., they successfully retained their religious presence in their traditional strongholds in Bengal. The author attributes this survival to the eclecticism and tolerance of the Pala Kings, which allowed for uninterrupted missionary activities in regions such as Kotivarsa-Pundravardhana in North Bengal, Samatata-Vanga in East Bengal, and Tamralipti-Radha in Western Bengal. To support this claim, the author relies heavily on evidence from the *Brhatkathakosha*, composed by Harisenasiri in 931 A.D. Specifically, the author points to the 131st chapter of this text, the “Bhadrabahu Kathanaka,” which states that Bhadrabahu, the last Srutakevalin, was born at Kottapura, then known as Devakotta in Pundravardhana. The article extensively details the multifaceted genius of Bhadrabahu, describing him as a great scholar with memoriter knowledge of Jain canons and a proselytizing genius who converted Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. The text also discusses the significant migration of twelve thousand monks, led by Bhadrabahu during a famine in Magadha, which resulted in the expansion of Jainism to South India and the eventual bifurcation of the Nirgrantha organization into the Svetambara and Digambara sects. Furthermore, the article examines the scholarly debate surrounding the authorship of various texts attributed to Bhadrabahu. The author cites numerous sources, including Maurice Winternitz's *History of Indian Literature*, K.C. Lalwani's translation of the *Kalpasutra*, Mrs. Sinclair Stevenson's *The Heart of Jainism*, and the research of Hermann Jacobi and R.P. Chanda. These sources discuss the attribution of works such as the *Niryuktis*, the *Chedasutras*, and the *Kalpasutra* to Bhadrabahu, while also noting the scholarly skepticism regarding these claims. The text highlights the confusion surrounding the existence of multiple figures named Bhadrabahu, as suggested by Digambara traditions and the existence of two distinct *Sambhitas*—one on astronomy and another on the right of succession—attributed to him, concluding that the evidence is contradictory and prevents a definitive conclusion about his specific literary contributions.
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Conclusion
This article demonstrates that despite the failure of Jainas to expand into North India during the tenth century, they successfully maintained their religious influence in Bengal's traditional strongholds, such as Pundravardhana, Samatata-Vanga, and Tamralipti-Radha. This preservation was facilitated by the tolerance of the Pala Kings. The primary evidence for this enduring presence is found in Harisena's *Brhatkathakosha* (931 A.D.), which identifies Pundravardhana as the birthplace of the patriarch Bhadrabahu. While the text extensively details Bhadrabahu's legendary status, his scholarly contributions, and the scholarly debates surrounding his authorship and identity, it ultimately underscores his foundational role. The article highlights how his historical migration to South India, while crucial for the religion's expansion, also contributed to the fragmentation of the Jain community.