Prasnottararatnamalika
Summary
When Fa-Hian visited Sanéya, he observed a dispute between Jains and Buddhists over the sacred site, with both groups claiming historical ownership. The Buddhists emerged victorious, though the Jains retained a temple in Sarai village near Sankisa. The author identifies Sanéya as the location where Lord Rencunced attained enlightenment by overcoming evil karmas (aghas). This claim is supported by the village of Aghatia, located near Sanéya, where a mound containing an ancient Jaina image was discovered. The name "Aghatia" likely derives from "Agha-hata-sthina," meaning "place of destroying evil karmas," potentially linked to the Jaina Tirthankara. The author advocates for further excavation to uncover more about Jainism. The text references a Sanskrit fragment from the *Prasnottararatnamalika*, a moral treatise attributed to Sankaracarya, found in a 12th-century palm-leaf manuscript (Asiatic Society of Bengal, codex 9995). The fragment includes verses 12-17 of the work, which exists in multiple editions and a Tibetan version titled *Vimalaprosnotiaratnamali*, attributed to Amoghavarsga (or Amoghodaya). The Tibetan text was first published with translations in 1858 and 1667, though the original Sanskrit is in verse, not prose, as mistakenly noted by Foucaux. A separate catalog (Fort William College, no. 2628) attributes the work to the Jaina scholar Asitapata.
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Conclusion
This study reveals the contested sacred geography of Sankisa, highlighting the historical tension between Jain and Buddhist claims to the site associated with Lord Rishabhanatha’s enlightenment. The identification of Aghatia village and its archaeological potential offers independent corroboration of Jain traditions, emphasizing the site’s enduring spiritual significance. The analysis also clarifies the authorship and transmission history of the *Prasnottararatnamalika*, resolving discrepancies in attributions and textual forms across Sanskrit and Tibetan traditions. By synthesizing historical, archaeological, and philological evidence, the research underscores the importance of Sankisa in Jain heritage and the complex dynamics of religious narratives in shaping regional sacred landscapes. Further excavation of Aghatia could yield critical insights into Jainism’s material and doctrinal legacy.