Tirthankar 08 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan Parichay

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tirthankar 08 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan Parichay" by Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Tirthankar 08 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan Parichay (A Comprehensive Introduction to the 8th Tirthankara, Lord Chandraprabhu) Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar Publisher: Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar

Overview:

This book is the eighth installment in a series titled "Tirthankar Parichay" (Introduction to Tirthankaras). It provides a detailed and systematic introduction to the eighth Tirthankara of the current era of the Bharata continent, Lord Chandraprabhu. The content is organized into 185 "dwaras" (points or aspects), covering various facets of his life and teachings. The author, Muni Shri Dipratnasagar, has compiled this work by referencing numerous ancient Jain scriptures.

Key Aspects Covered (Illustrative, not exhaustive of all 185 points):

The book meticulously details Lord Chandraprabhu's life from his previous births to his ultimate liberation. Here's a breakdown of some key areas covered, as indicated by the page content:

• Previous Lives and Causes for Tirthankara-hood (Dwaras 1-15):

  • Details of his seven previous births, including his life as King Varmaraja, the god Saudharma, Chakravarti Ajitsen, the god Ayata, King Padmanabha, and the god Vaijayanta.
  • Information about the continent (Dhatkikhand), region (Purva Mahavideh), direction, and specific region (Mangalavati Vijay) where he resided in previous lives.
  • His previous birth name: Padma.
  • His status as a Mandala King in a previous life and his guru, Yugandhar.
  • The twenty reasons (20 sthanakas) that led to the binding of Tirthankara-namkarma, including various forms of compassion, reverence for knowledge, observance of vows, contemplation, charity, service, and propagation of the faith.
  • His knowledge of the eleven Angas in a previous life.
  • His abode in the Vaijayanta heaven in a past life.

• Incarnation and Birth Details (Dwaras 16-43):

  • His lifespan in the heaven was 33 sagaropamas.
  • The date of his descent (Chyavan) into the womb: Chaitra Vad 5 (Shastriya) / Phalguna Vad 5 (Gujarati).
  • His birth star: Anuradha, and zodiac sign: Scorpio.
  • His descent occurred at midnight.
  • The 14 auspicious dreams his mother, Lakshmanadevi, had upon his conception, including an elephant, bull, lion, Lakshmi, garland of flowers, moon, sun, flag, full pitcher, lotus pond, ocean of milk, divine vehicle, pile of gems, and a smokeless fire. The text clarifies that the order of these dreams is generally consistent across Tirthankaras, with the first dream of a bull seen by Rishabhadeva's mother.
  • The interpretation of these dreams was done by his father and dream interpreters.
  • His mother's womb was not concealed, and her physical form remained unchanged.
  • His gestation period was 9 months and 7 days.
  • His birth star: Anuradha, and zodiac sign: Scorpio.
  • His birth occurred in the latter half of the fourth era.
  • At the time of his birth, 42,000 years, 100 Koti sagaropamas, 10 lakh Purva, and 3 years and 8.5 months of the fourth era remained.
  • He was born in the city of Chandrapuri.
  • The arrival and actions of 56 Dikumaris (celestial maidens) during his birth, who performed purification rituals, created a nursery, and offered fragrant water, flowers, and light.
  • The birthplace for his consecration was the Atipandukambalshila, south of the Pandukvan forest.
  • The participation of 64 Indras (celestial kings) during his birth, including those from Kalpas (10), Jyotishtha (2), Bhavanapati (20), and Vyantara (32).
  • The rituals performed by the Indras, such as creating reflections, placing him in their laps, bathing him with 1008 pitchers, anointing him with sandalwood, offering him clothes and ornaments, and showering him with wealth.
  • His parents: Mother Lakshmanadevi and father King Mahasen.

• Characteristics and Social Life (Dwaras 44-72):

  • His gender: Male.
  • His mother's destiny: Attained liberation.
  • His father's destiny: Resides in the Ishana heaven.
  • His other names: Information not available.
  • His lineage: Kashyapa.
  • His dynasty: Ikshvaku.
  • His symbol: Moon.
  • Meaning of his name: "Chandraprabhu" refers to his luminous nature (Shukla Leshya) or the desire of his mother to drink milk during pregnancy due to the influence of the moon.
  • He did not have a divine serpent hood on his head.
  • His body possessed 1008 excellent characteristics.
  • His physical structure (Sanghayan): Anuttar Vajrushabhnarach.
  • His form (Sansthan): Anuttar Samachaturs.
  • His knowledge in worldly life: Mati, Shruta, and Avadhi knowledge.
  • His group (Gan): Dev (divine).
  • His caste (Yoni): Mriga.
  • His complexion: White.
  • His beauty: Supreme and radiant.
  • His strength: Infinite strength (described as being exponentially greater than that of a Vasudeva or Chakravarti).
  • His height: 150 Dhanush (using Utsadhagul) and 120 Anguls (using Atmangul).
  • His sustenance in childhood: Ambrosia provided by Indra on his finger, later specialized food.
  • His marital status: Married.
  • His sexual conduct: Limited to his wife.
  • His status as a prince: He was a Mandala King, not a Chakravarti.
  • His reign duration: Six and a half lakh Purva, with 24 Purvanga.

• Renunciation and Enlightenment (Dwaras 73-114):

  • He attained enlightenment (Bodha) spontaneously.
  • The occasion for his renunciation was announced by Lokantik gods from Brahmadevlok.
  • He offered a daily donation of 1 crore and 8 lakh (currency unspecified) and an annual donation of 388 crore and 80 lakh.
  • He performed this charity from sunrise to noon.
  • The date of his renunciation: Posh Vad 13 (Shastriya) / Magshar Vad 13 (Gujarati).
  • His renunciation star: Anuradha, and zodiac sign: Scorpio.
  • He renounced in the latter half of the day.
  • He performed a six-day fast (Chhathh ka Tap) at the time of his renunciation.
  • His age at renunciation: Post-youthful.
  • The name of his palanquin: Manorama.
  • The number of individuals who renounced with him: 1000 men.
  • He renounced in the Tirthankara lineage, not in any other.
  • He left from Chandrapuri.
  • The forest of renunciation: Sahasram Van.
  • The tree under which he renounced: Nagavriksha.
  • He performed five handfuls of hair-plucking (Loch).
  • Upon renunciation, he immediately attained Manahparyava-jñāna (mind-reading knowledge).
  • The divine garment was given by Indra and remained for over a year (or throughout his life, according to another opinion).
  • His first alms: Performed on the second day with sweet rice pudding (Paramanna/Kheer).
  • The place of his first alms: Padmkhand.
  • The first alms-giver: Somadatta, who attained liberation in the same life or the third life.
  • The five divine signs that manifested during his first alms: proclamation of great charity, divine music, showering of gold coins, fragrant water and flower showers, and showering of clothes.
  • The amount of gold coins showered: Twelve and a half crore.
  • The spiritual practices in his era: Excellent penance.
  • His regions of wandering: Arya Bhumi.
  • His period as a Kadhmisth (before full enlightenment): 3 months.
  • The date of his Kevalajnana (omniscience): Phalguna Vad 7 (Shastriya) / Maha Vad 7 (Gujarati).
  • His Kevalajnana star: Anuradha, and zodiac sign: Scorpio.
  • His Kevalajnana occurred in the forenoon.
  • The location of his Kevalajnana: Chandrapuri.
  • The forest of his Kevalajnana: Sahasram Van.
  • The tree of his Kevalajnana: Nagavriksha.
  • The height of the Kevalajnana tree: 12 times the height of the Tirthankara (1800 Dhanush).
  • His penance during Kevalajnana: Fasting (Chhathh Bhakta).
  • His 34 Atishayas (superhuman qualities): 4 from birth, 19 bestowed by gods, and 11 achieved by the destruction of karma.
  • His 35 qualities of speech: Including Sanskrit and other eloquence.
  • His 8 Prathiharyas (emblematic signs of an omniscient being): Ashoka tree, five-colored flower showers, divine sound, white chowries, throne, halo, kettle drum sound, and umbrella.
  • The height of the Chaitya tree (first Prathiharya): 1800 Dhanush.

• Attributes of Omniscience and His Disciples (Dwaras 116-144):

  • His 18 faultless qualities: Absence of obstructions to giving, gain, energy, enjoyment, and consumption; lack of disgust, fear, ignorance, sleep, lack of restraint, desire for sensual pleasures, laughter, sorrow, hatred, false belief, attachment, restlessness, and aversion.
  • The establishment of the spiritual order (Tirthotpatti): During his first sermon (Samavasarana).
  • The duration of his Tirth's prevalence: Until the time of Lord Suvidhinath.
  • There was no interruption in his Tirth.
  • His first Ganadhara (chief disciple): Datta.
  • His first Sadhvi (female ascetic): Sumana.
  • Information about his first Shravak (male lay follower) and Shravika (female lay follower) is not available.
  • His chief devotee King: Maghva.
  • His attendant Yaksha: Vijaya.
  • His attendant Yakshini: Jwala.
  • His Gan (group of disciples): Ninety-three.
  • His Ganadharas: Ninety-three.
  • His Sadhus: 250,000.
  • His Sadhvis: 380,000.
  • His Shravakas: 250,000.
  • His Shravikas: 491,000.
  • His Kevalis (fully enlightened beings): 10,000.
  • His Manahparyavajnanis (mind-reading saints): 8,000.
  • His Avadhijñānis (clairvoyants): 8,000.
  • His Chaturdhurdharas (possessors of the fourteen Purvas): 2,000.
  • His Vaikriyalkdhidharas (possessors of miraculous powers): 14,000.
  • His Vadimunis (debating ascetics): 7,600.
  • His General Munis: 200,000.
  • Information about his Anuttaropapatika Munis (those who do not reincarnate in lower realms) is not available.
  • The number of Prakirnaka compositions: 250,000.
  • The number of vows for Sadhus: Four Mahavratas.
  • The number of vows for Shravakas: Twelve vows.
  • The types of conduct (Charitra) in him: Three - Samayika, Sukshma Samparaya, and Yathakhyata.
  • The number of principles (Tattvas): Nine (like Jiva) or Three (Deva, Guru, Dharma).
  • The types of Samayika: Four - Samyakta, Shruta, Deshavirata, Sarvavirata.
  • The types of Pratikraman (atonement rituals): Two - Rai and Devasik.
  • Night-eating falls under the category of "Uttara Guna" (higher vows).
  • His Sthita-kalpa (practices of stability): Shyyatar, 4 vows, Jyeshtha, Krutikarma.
  • His Asthita-kalpa (practices of instability): Achelakya, Dishik, and 6 other types.
  • His adherence to monastic conduct: Easily understood and easy to follow.
  • His Shadadashak (six essential duties): Performed when the reason arises.
  • The nature of his monks: Straightforward and wise.
  • The nature of the Dharma he proclaimed: Two types - Angar (ascetic) and Agar (lay follower), or Shruta Charitra.
  • The color of his monks' garments: Any color.

• Later Life and Liberation (Dwaras 156-176):

  • The measurement of his monks' garments: As they are found.
  • His period as a householder: 9 lakh Purva and 24 Purvanga.
  • His period of Kevalajnana: 3 months and 24 Purvanga less than 1 lakh Purva.
  • His total period of renunciation: 1 lakh Purva minus 24 Purvanga.
  • His total lifespan: 10 lakh Purva.
  • He endured hardships like cold and heat with equanimity.
  • His final destination: Moksha (liberation), characterized by eternal and unimpeded bliss.
  • His funeral rites: Cremation (not burial).
  • The date of his liberation: Bhadrava Vad 7 (Shastriya) / Shravana Vad 7 (Gujarati).
  • His liberation star: Jyeshtha, and zodiac sign: Scorpio.
  • His liberation occurred in the forenoon.
  • The place of his liberation: Samet Shikhar.
  • His posture at liberation: Kayotsarga (standing in meditation).
  • His height in Moksha: 100 Dhanush.
  • His penance at liberation: Fasting (Masakshaman).
  • The number of souls liberated with him: 1000.
  • The era at his liberation: Latter half of the fourth era.
  • The remaining period of the fourth era at his liberation: 42,000 years, 100 Koti sagaropamas, and 89 Paksha.

• Chronology and Significant Events (Dwaras 177-185):

  • The duration he remained in previous lives: Countless aeons.
  • The time of separation from previous lives: After countless aeons.
  • The interval between Tirthankaras: After Lord Chandraprabhu, there was an interval of 90 crore sagaropamas before Lord Suvidhinath attained Nirvana.
  • Significant events in his Tirth: No specific major event is mentioned.
  • Chakravarti kings in his Tirth: None.
  • Vasudeva kings in his Tirth: None.
  • Baladeva kings in his Tirth: None.
  • Prati-vasudeva kings in his Tirth: None.
  • The 250 consecrations at his birth: Details provided, including the participation of various celestial kings, their consorts, celestial maidens, and others, leading to a total of 1 crore 60 lakh ceremonial pitchers.

Source Material:

The author explicitly states that the information for these 185 points is primarily drawn from the "Saptatishatasthan Pravar" by Somatisuri. However, he has also utilized other authoritative Jain scriptures such as:

• Avashyak Niryukti
• Savachaka
• Pravachana Saroddhara
• Tirthodara Panna
• Shatkhanda Agam
• 24 Anukram Purush Charitra
• Samavaya Chaturth Masutra
• Agam-Kathanuyog

Clarification on Variant Readings (Page 4):

The author acknowledges that not all numbers presented are absolute and eternal. He points out that variations exist in scriptures regarding the number of Ganadharas, Shravikas, and other figures associated with previous Tirthankaras (e.g., Ajitnath, Sambhavnath, Suvidhinath). He has noted these variations in his "Agam Kathanuyog."

Author's Background:

Muni Shri Dipratnasagar is presented as a highly accomplished scholar with degrees in M.Com., M.Ed., and Ph.D., and is referred to as "Shrotamarshi" (a sage of scriptures). He has authored over 585 books and is prolific in multiple languages.

In essence, the book "Tirthankar 08 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan Parichay" is a meticulous and scholarly compilation, offering a comprehensive and structured understanding of the life, qualities, teachings, and spiritual journey of Lord Chandraprabhu, a significant figure in Jainism.