Essay name: Vasudevahindi (cultural history)
Author:
A. P. Jamkhedkar
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute Pune
This essay is an English study of the Vasudevahindi reflecting cultural history and traditions of the life of people in ancient and medieval India during the 6th century. The Vasudevahimdi is a romantic and religious tale that revolves around the wanderings of Vasudeva (a former Jain monk) and religious teachings in the guise of love stories, a common theme of poetry in Jainism.
Chapter 5 - Religion and Philosophy
149 (of 153)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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603
His foe, on the strength of his magical powers, directed a
ghost to act as an assasin.
Vasudeva protected him with
the help of a divine herb which dispelled the ghost. The
ghost is described as traversing in the air with a tremendous
speed towards his target, brandishing a sword¹.
Religious Festivals :
Vh(P) refers to festivals which were of religious
nature. Some of these were essentially connected with Jaina
religion while some were common to all the sects.
The festivals associated with the saviours were
-2
called Jinamahima, Ceiyamahima and Atthahiyamahima.
Carusami celebrated the ceiyamahima at the
Amgamandirujjāṇa near Campā. He worshipped the images with
flowers and recited praises³.
Such celebrations in honour of the Jinas were
performed on auspicious occasions like marriage or the
fulfilment of some desire.
1. Vh(M), II.118a.
2. Jinamahima was celebrated regularly even by the gods in
Namdisara diva; Vh(P), 171.
3. Vh(P), 134.
