Pāndulena

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Pandulena (पांडुलेण) is historical place and a group of Buddhist caves in Pune, Maharashtra. The name "Pandavleni", sometimes called the Nasik Caves, has nothing to do with the Pandavas, characters in the Mahabharata epic.

Origin of name

The caves were called Pundru which in Pali language means "yellow ochre color". This is because the caves were the residence of Buddhist monks who wore "the chivara or the yellow robes". Later on, the word Pundru changed to Pandu Caves.

Variants

• Pāndulena पाण्डुलेण, जिला नासिक, महा, (AS, p.538)
• Pandu Lena
• Pandu Lena Caves
• Pandav Leni Caves
• Nasik Caves
• Pundru
• Trirashmi Caves

History

The Pandu Lena Caves are a holy Buddhist site, with fascinating sculptures and brilliantly carved doorways. The Pandu Lena Caves, also known as Pandav Leni Caves or Nasik Caves, are a cluster of 24 caves created between 1st century BC and 3rd century AD. Later on, in the 6th century, some Buddha images were also added, which makes the caves an excellent example of shifting religious beliefs through time. Said to have been built by ancient Jain Rulers for Jain saints, this is also the spot where the Pandavas are fabled to have spent some of their time. They are a fascinating example of some of the earliest rock cut temples in the Hinayana tradition.

The caves can be traced back up to the 1st century BCE by inscriptions recording donations. Out of the twenty-four caves, two caves are a major attraction - the main cave which is the Chaitya (prayer hall) has a beautiful Stupa; the second one is cave no. 10 which is complete in all structural as well inscriptions. Both the caves have pictures of Buddha come out of a printer stuck all over the rocks there is also no water supply there. The caves are facing eastwards. So it is recommended to visit the caves early morning as in sunlight the beauty of carvings is enhanced.

Inscriptions

One long inscription (inscription No.2) in the 19th year of Satavahana king Sri Pulumavi (2nd century CE), explaining that Queen Gotami Balasiri, mother of glorious king Gotamiputra, caused this cave to be built and gave it to the Samgha.

There is also another long inscription (inscription No.3) by Sri Pulumavi himself, also in the 22nd year of his reign.

There are also inscriptions (inscriptions No.4 and No.5) at the entrance of the cave by Gautamiputra Satakarni (2nd century), in the 18th year of his reign, who claims a great victory

One of the most important Nasik Caves inscription was made by Gautamiputra's mother the great queen Gotami Balasiri, during the reign of her grandson Vasishthiputra Pulumavi, in order to record the gift of Cave No3. The full inscription consists in a long eulogy of Gautamiputra Satakarni, mentioning his valour, his military victories, and then her gift of a cave in the Nasik Caves complex.

The most important passages on this inscription related to the military victories of Gautamiputra Satakarni, in particular:

the claim that Gautamiputra Satakarni "destroyed the Sakas, Yavanas and Palhavas", alluding respectively to the Western Satraps, the Indo-Greeks and the Indo-Parthians

the claim that Gautamitra Satakarni "rooted out the Khakharata race" and "restored the glory of the Satavahana family". The Khakharata refers to the Kshaharata dynasty, the family branch of Nahapana, the important Western Satraps ruler.

The various inscriptions confirm that Nashik in that period was ruled by 3 dynasties – the Western Kshatrapas, the Satavahanas and the Abhiras. It seems there was always a conflict between Satavahanas and the Kshatrapas over supremacy. However, all the 3 kings fully supported Buddhism. The inscriptions also confirm that apart from the kings, local merchants, landlords too supported and donated huge sums for the development of these caves.

Caves

The caves, known as Pandav Caves also known as Trirashmi Buddhist Caves were carved out from the 1st century BCE until the 3rd century CE, with later additions of sculptures. They were paid for by local Buddhist royalty, merchants and local people for the Buddhist monks. The name is derived from the word "Tiranhu" which is inscribed in the Caves. It means "rays of sunlight" which is quite obviously referring to the rays of sunlight emerging from behind the Caves as seen from the village. These caves were carved and donated by various kings that ruled Nashik - The Satavahanas, The Nahapanas, The Abhirs. The caves lodge idols of Buddha and Bodhisattva. Some caves are intricately connected by stone-cut ladders that join them to the other caves. Steps lead to the caves from the bottom of the hill. The peak of the Trirashmi Caves is also accessible by trekking of about 20 mins but the path is well built with steps.

पाण्डुलेण, जिला नासिक

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...पाण्डुलेण (AS, p.538), जिला नासिक, महाराष्ट्र. प्रथम सदी ईसा पूर्व से द्वितीय सदी ईस्वी तक बनी हुई चैत्यविहार गुफाएं नासिक से 5 मील दूर स्थित हैं. ये त्रिरश्मि नामक पर्वत में बनी हैं. इनमें [p.539]: से कुछ चैत्य हैं तथा अन्य विहार के रूप में निर्मित हैं. यहां के अभिलेखों से ज्ञात होता है कि ये गुफाएं आंध्रकालीन राजाओं के समय में बनी थी. इन गुफाओं की मूर्तिकारी से आंध्रकालीन संस्कृति पर काफी प्रकाश पड़ता है. अभिलेखों से आंध्रराजा शातकर्णी तथा पुलोमी की धार्मिक श्रद्धा तथा उनके राज्य विस्तार का हाल मिलता है. ये गुफाएं बौद्ध धर्म के हीनयान संप्रदाय के भिक्षुओं के लिए बनीं थी. इनकी मूर्ति कला में सांची की कला की भांति ही बुद्ध की मूर्तियां नहीं बनाई गई हैं. उनकी उपस्थिति का ज्ञान उनके उष्मीय तथा अन्य प्रतीकों द्वारा कराया गया है.