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
150 (of 153)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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604
After the marriage of Amsumamta, Atthahiya mahima
which is also referred to as dhammajagariya (religious vigil)
was performed 1. In such celebrations all artistes and clubs
were invited to participate in singing songs and playing upon
instruments during the night in honour of the gods².
Kamapaḍaga, a saviya, held celebrations in honour of
the Jiṇas as a gesture of gratitude after she was out of a
dangerous situation³.
Another important festival referred to in the Vh(P)
is the Imdamaha. Its origin has been traced to the first
sovereign Bharata. The story goes that once Bharata asked
Indra to show his form which, according to Indra, being very
lustrous was very difficult to look at. As such he showed one
of his fingers to Bharata. With the worship of that finger
started the Imdamaha+.
1. Ibid., 212-13.
2. Vh(P), 212-13.
3. Ibid., 2940
4. Ibid., 184. See Jain, J.G. Lehta. It was one of the
important festivals of the olden times and was celebrated
on the full moon day of Asadha month.
Aṣādha
Nisitha curni
(19, F.1174) quoted by Jain, Op.cit. P. 216. For a
ya
detailed description of the worship of the banner of Indra
as given in the Uttaradhyana Tika (8, P.136),See, Jaina,
Op.cit., P. 216.
