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.
Appendix 1 - Description of Vidyadharas and magical lores
12 (of 118)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Vidyadharas kidnapping maidens from the human world are numerous
in the Vh(P) 1. An example of a Vidyadhara couple acting
as benefactors also should be noted. Aga岣峚datta's wife
who had died of serpent-bite was brought back to life by
a Vidyadhara who was moved by the lamentations of Agadadatta虏.
The Vh(M) informs that the Vidyadharas could fly as high
up as the seventh aerial path (Sattama Vayupaha) 3. The
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Vidyadharas could remain invisible or show themselves only
to the persons of their liking 4 or could change their form 5.
However, though they could deceive the eyes, they could
not do so with touch. A Vidyadhari presented herself as
Vasudeva to Gamdhavvadatta who embraced her to find that the
6 touch was not that of Vasudeva'
Austerities to acquire lores
To acquire the love the Vidyadhara had to pay a
very high price. He had to undergo very severe austerities.
When Vasudeva was initiated by a Vidyadhara for the acquisition
of love enabling him to fly in the air (gaganagamana jogga vijja)
1. Ibid., 68, 227, 243.
3. Vh(M), II.99a.
5. Ibid., I.66.
2. Ibid.; 47
4. Ibid.; I. 6a.
6. Ibid. 1.6a.
