Torso Of Parsvanatha In Bhagalpur Museum Bihar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Torso of Parsvanatha in Bhagalpur Museum Bihar" by Ajay Kumar Sinha:

This article discusses a significant archaeological find: a torso of Lord Parsvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism, housed in the Bhagalpur Museum in Bihar.

The author, Ajay Kumar Sinha, acquired the torso in 1977 from the Katwali Police Station in Monghyr, Bihar. It was unearthed within the old Monghyr Fort during the construction of a Gun Factory.

The text begins by introducing Bhagvan Parsvanatha, highlighting his importance as a revered Tirthankara. It notes his traditional biography: born in Varanasi around 817 B.C., married, but renounced worldly life at 30 to become an ascetic. He preached for approximately 70 years, advocating love and universal fraternity. Parsvanatha had a strong connection with the province of Bihar, where he is believed to have died around 717 B.C. at Mount Parsvanatha (Sammeta Sikhara) in the Hazaribagh district. His emblem is the snake.

The article then focuses on the physical characteristics of the discovered torso. It measures 107.36 cm from above the chest to just above the knees. The waist measures 80 cm and the chest 94 cm, indicating its "colossalness." A notable feature is the snake Dharana, which typically emerges from Parsvanatha's back. The statue depicts him standing in the kayotsarga mudra (a meditative posture of standing still). The torso is naked, signifying it was worshipped by the Digambara sect of Jainism. The sculpture is carved from black basalt.

The author connects the find to the historical presence of Jainism in Monghyr. He references the Padmacarita of Acarya Ravisena (circa 7th century A.D.), which states that Jainism flourished in the Monghyr vicinity during that period, with temples being built and teachers actively propagating their faith. Similarly, Acarya Jinasena and Acarya Haribhadra (circa 8th century A.D.) described the Anga region (which includes Monghyr) as a significant center of Jainism.

Currently, a temple dedicated to Lord Parsvanatha exists in Baru Bazar, in the heart of Monghyr town, worshipped by Digambara Jains. Local accounts suggest this temple was constructed about a hundred years ago, built on the site of an original temple.

Sinha posits that the Parsvanatha torso under discussion was likely originally placed near the present-day temple in Monghyr and worshipped there prior to its destruction. He speculates that the statue might have been destroyed in the 13th century and subsequently discarded into nearby ditches. It was later found and is now a significant artifact adorning the Bhagalpur Museum.