Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

This document is Volume IV of the English translation of the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra (Lives of Sixty-Three Illustrious Persons) by Ācārya Śrī Hemacandra, translated by Helen M. Johnson. This particular volume, published in 1954 by the Oriental Institute, Baroda, covers Books VI and VII of the original text.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the content based on the provided pages:

Overall Structure and Content:

• Title: Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra (The Lives of Sixty-Three Illustrious Persons)
• Author: Ācārya Śrī Hemacandra
• Translator: Helen M. Johnson
• Publisher: Oriental Institute, Baroda
• Volume: IV
• Books Covered: Book VI and Book VII
• Gaeckwad's Oriental Series: No. CXXV
• Content Focus: This volume details the lives of several Śalākāpuruṣas (illustrious personages) within the Jain tradition. Book VI covers the lives of Tirthankaras and other significant figures, while Book VII focuses on the Jaina version of the Rāmāyaṇa.

Key Figures and Narratives in Book VI:

Book VI is divided into several Caritras (biographies):

1. Śri Kunthusvāmicaritra (Life of Kunthusvāmin):

   • Previous Incarnations: The narrative begins with Kunthunatha's past life as King Sinhāvaha in Avarta, a virtuous ruler who renounced his kingdom to become an ascetic and attained heavenly rebirth.
   • Parents: His parents were King Śūra and Queen Śrī in the magnificent city of Hastinapura. Queen Śrī had fourteen auspicious dreams, indicating the birth of a Tirthakara.
   • Birth-rites and Stuti: The text describes the birth-rites performed by the gods and Indra's praise.
   • Life as King and Cakrin: After growing up and marrying, he became king and later a cakravartin (universal monarch) when the cakra-jewel appeared. His reign as emperor lasted for 23,750 years.
   • Initiation: Reminded by the Lokāntikas, he renounced his kingdom, gave gifts, and became an ascetic, attaining the knowledge of mind-reading.
   • Omniscience: After 16 years as an ascetic, he attained omniscience. The text describes the samavasaraṇa (preaching assembly) and the divine praise he received.
   • Sermon on Purity of Mind: Kunthunatha delivers a sermon emphasizing the paramount importance of purity of mind for spiritual liberation, comparing a wavering mind to a monkey and advocating for its control.
   • Sāsanadevatās: The Yakṣa Gandharva and the goddess Balā are identified as his attendant deities.
   • Congregation: Details are given about his large congregation of monks, nuns, laymen, and omniscient beings.
   • Emancipation: He attained emancipation on Mt. Sammeta after a month's fast, completing a life of 95,000 years (equally divided between prince, king, emperor, and monk).

2. Śri Aranathacaritra (Life of Aranatha):

   • Previous Incarnations: His previous birth was as King Dhanapati in Susīmā, who became an ascetic and attained rebirth as a god.
   • Parents: King Sudarśana and Queen Devī in Hastinapura. Queen Devī saw fourteen dreams indicating the birth of a Tirthankara.
   • Birth: Aranatha was born marked with a nandyāvarta. The text details the birth-rites and Indra's praise.
   • Life before Initiation: After growing up and marrying, he became king, and later a cakravartin.
   • Initiation: Reminded by the Lokāntikas, he renounced his kingdom and became an ascetic, attaining mind-reading knowledge.
   • Omniscience: He attained omniscience and delivered a sermon.
   • Sermon on Rāga and Dveṣa: His sermon focuses on the detrimental effects of rāga (attachment/love) and dveṣa (aversion/hate) as the root of suffering and obstacles to emancipation.
   • Sāsanadevatās: Yakṣendra and Dhāriņī are mentioned as his attendant deities.
   • Story of Virabhadra: This is a significant digression within Aranatha's life. Virabhadra, a highly skilled but mischievous son of Rṣabhadatta, marries Priyadarśana, daughter of Sāgaradatta. He deserts his wife, travels, exhibits his skills, gains the love of Princess Anangasundari of Sinhala, and eventually marries her. His past deeds are explained, showing how his penance mixed with deceit led to his current circumstances.
   • Emancipation: Aranatha attained emancipation on Mt. Sammeta after a life of 84,000 years.

3. Anandapurushapundarikabalicaritra (Lives of Ananda Baladeva, Purushapundarika Vasudeva, and Bali Prativasudeva):

   • Previous Births: Nandana's previous birth was King Vasundhara, who became a mendicant. Datta's previous birth was King Priyamitra, who became a mendicant after an humiliation. Bali's previous birth was Suketu.
   • Births: Bali was born in the family of Vidyadhara-king Meghanada. Nandana was born to King Mahaśiras and Queen Vaijayanti. Purushapundarika was born to King Mahaśiras and Queen Lakṣmivati.
   • Fight with Bali: Ananda and Purushapundarika defeat and kill Bali.
   • Ananda's Life and Emancipation: Ananda ruled alone after his brother's death, took initiation due to disgust with existence, attained omniscience, and went to heaven.
   • Purushapundarika's Fate: He died and went to the fifth hell due to his karma.

4. Subhumacakravarti Caritra (Life of Cakravartin Subhūma):

   • Previous Births: His previous birth was King Bhūpāla, who became a mendicant after defeat and made a nidāna for enjoyment of army and treasure.
   • Story of Jamadagni and Parasurama: This section details the origin of Jamadagni, his marriage to Renuka, the birth of Rāma (Parasurama), and the subsequent destruction of the Ksatriyas by Rāma and the killing of Anantavirya (king of Hastinapura), Renuka, and her son. This narrative differs significantly from the Puranic versions.
   • Birth of Subhūma: Subhūma was born to King Krtavīrya and Queen Tārā, hidden from Rāma's wrath.
   • Death of Rāma (Parasurama): The text recounts Rāma's destruction of the Ksatriyas and his eventual death.
   • Conquest of Bharata: Subhūma conquers Bharata, even eliminating Brahmans 21 times.
   • Death of Subhūma: He dies after a life of 60,000 years and goes to the seventh hell.

5. Dattanandanaprahladacaritra (Lives of Datta Baladeva, Nandana Vasudeva, and Prahlada Prativasudeva):

   • Previous Births: Nandana's previous birth was King Vasundhara. Datta's previous birth was Lalitamitra, who made a nidāna to kill the minister Khala. Prahlada's previous birth was the minister Khala.
   • Births: Prahlada was born a Vidyadhara-king. Nandana was born to King Agnisinha and Queen Jayanti. Datta was born to King Agnisinha and Queen Sesavati.
   • Fight with Prahlada: Datta and Nandana fight and kill Prahlada.
   • Datta's Life and Emancipation: Datta lived for 56,000 years, and after his death went to the fifth hell.
   • Nandana's Life and Emancipation: Nandana lived for 65,000 years, took initiation due to disgust with existence, and attained emancipation.

6. Śri Mallināthacaritra (Life of Mallinatha):

   • Outstanding Feature: Mallinatha is notable as the only female Tirthankara.
   • Incarnation as Mahābala: Her previous birth was as King Mahābala, who practiced penance with his six friends. This penance, mixed with deceit, led to her birth as a woman.
   • Incarnation as a God: The group of seven became gods in Vaijayanta.
   • Parents: King Kumbha and Queen Prabhāvati in Mithila. Queen Prabhāvati had fourteen dreams indicating the birth of a Tirthankara.
   • Birth: Mallinatha was born as a female Tirthankara, marked with a water-jar, and of a dark blue color.
   • Reincarnations of her Six Former Friends: The text details the previous lives of her six friends (Acala, Dharana, Puraņa, Vasu, Vaiśravana, Abhicandra), showing how their actions and nidānas influenced their subsequent births and their connection to Mallinatha.
   • Device of the Statue: To test the kings who sought her hand, Mallinatha placed a golden statue of herself in a special room. She fed the statue, and when the kings visited, the resulting stench from the spoiled food exposed the futility of attaching oneself to the physical body.
   • Founding of Congregation: She established a congregation and preached about sāmya (equanimity).
   • Sermon on Sāmya: Her sermon emphasizes equanimity as the path to liberation, attainable without effort and superior to all other practices.
   • Śāsanadevatās: Kubera and Vairotyā are her attendant deities.
   • Congregation: Details of her large congregation are provided.
   • Emancipation: Mallinatha attained emancipation on Mt. Sammeta after a life of 55,000 years.

7. Śri Munisuvratanātha Caritra (Life of Munisuvratanatha):

   • Previous Incarnations: His previous incarnation was as King Suraśrestha, who became a mendicant and attained divine status.
   • Origin of the Harivansa: A detailed story explains the origin of the Harivamsa lineage through the illicit desire of King Sumukha for Vanamālā, the weaver's wife, and the subsequent karma of King Sumukha and Vanamālā, leading to their rebirth as Hari and Hariņi.
   • Parents: King Sumitra and Queen Padmavati in Rajagriha. King Sumitra was a model of virtue.
   • Birth: Munisuvrata was born marked with a tortoise, of a black color, the twentieth Tirthankara.
   • Life before Initiation: He was named Munisuvrata due to his mother's observance of vows during pregnancy. He married princesses and became king, ruling for 15,000 years.
   • Initiation: Reminded by the Lokāntikas, he renounced his kingdom and became a mendicant, attaining mind-reading knowledge and omniscience.
   • Sermon on Yati-dharma and Householder's Dharma: His sermon differentiates between the rigorous path of a monk (yati) and the duties of a householder, emphasizing right conduct, self-control, and devotion.
   • Sāsanadevatās: The Yakṣa Varuņa and goddess Naradaṭṭā are his attendant deities.
   • Story of the Horse: The horse of King Jitaśatru, formerly a layman named Jinadharma who had set up an Arhat statue, attained enlightenment after hearing Munisuvrata's sermon.
   • Emancipation: He attained emancipation on Mt. Sammeta after a life of 30,000 years.

8. Śri Mahapadmacakra Caritra (Life of Cakravartin Mahāpadma):

   • Previous Birth: His previous birth was King Prajāpāla, who became an Indra.
   • Birth of Elder Brother and Mahāpadma: His elder brother Viṣṇukumāra and Mahāpadma were born to King Padmottara and Queen Jvālā.
   • Story of Namuci and Viṣṇukumāra: Namuci, a minister, seeks revenge on a Jain ācārya and his disciple but is miraculously subdued. Namuci later becomes Mahāpadma's minister. The story also includes the famous episode of Viṣṇukumāra's "three steps" which has a different Jain interpretation than the Hindu Puranic version.
   • Mahāpadma's Adventures in Voluntary Exile: He leaves Ayodhya and experiences various adventures, including saving townswomen from a rogue elephant and marrying Vidyadhara princesses.
   • Return as Cakravartin: He returns, is consecrated as the eighth cakravartin, and his reign is marked by conquests. He fulfills his father's wish to become a mendicant.
   • Emancipation of Rāma: This section appears to be mistakenly placed here, describing Rāma's (identified as Viṣṇukumāra) initiation and emancipation.
   • Conquest of Bharata: His conquest of the six-part Bharata is detailed.
   • Previous Births of Rāvaņa, Lakṣmaņa, and Sitā: The text includes brief mentions of the previous births of these figures.

9. Dattanandanaprahladacaritra (Lives of Datta Baladeva, Nandana Vasudeva, and Prahlada Prativasudeva):

   • Previous Births: Nandana's previous birth was King Vasundhara. Datta's previous birth was Lalitamitra, who made a nidāna to kill the minister Khala. Prahlada's previous birth was the minister Khala.
   • Births: Prahlada was born a Vidyadhara-king. Nandana was born to King Agnisinha and Queen Jayanti. Datta was born to King Agnisinha and Queen Sesavati.
   • Fight with Prahlada: Datta and Nandana fight and kill Prahlada.
   • Datta's Life and Emancipation: Datta lived for 56,000 years, and after his death went to the fifth hell.
   • Nandana's Life and Emancipation: Nandana lived for 65,000 years, took initiation due to disgust with existence, and attained emancipation.

Key Figures and Narratives in Book VII:

Book VII is titled "Jaina Rāmāyaṇa".

1. Origin of the Rakṣasvansha and Vanara Vansha:
   • Ravana's Lineage: Begins with Ghanavahana and traces the lineage of Rakshasas leading up to Kirtidhavala. It also describes the Vidyadhara lineage leading to Srikantha and the origin of the Vanara lineage on Vānaradvipa.
   • Hanumat's Birth and Varuna's Subjugation: This section details the birth of Hanumat (Pavanañjaya) as the son of Vidyadhara-king Prahlada and Añjanasundari. It describes his early life, his unusual gestation, and the unusual circumstances of his birth. It also covers Rāvaṇa's war with Varuņa and the subsequent events involving Hanumat's prowess.
   • Ravana's Marriage: Rāvana marries Mandodari, daughter of the Vidyadhara-king Maya. He also marries several other maidens.
   • Marriages of Kumbhakarna and Bibhiṣaṇa: Their marriages are briefly mentioned.
   • Rāvaņa's Sons: Indrajit and Meghavāhana are mentioned as Rāvaņa's sons.
   • Conflict with Vaiśravaņa: The text describes the conflict between Rāvaņa and his cousin Vaiśravaņa over Lanka.
   • Fight with Vālin: Rāvaņa confronts Vālin, king of the Vanaras, who refuses to acknowledge Rāvaņa's superiority. Vālin defeats Rāvaņa in battle and then takes initiation.
   • Hanumat's encounter with Vālin: Hanumat later meets Vālin, who is practicing severe penance.
   • Conquests of Rāvaņa: This section details Rāvaņa's extensive military campaigns, his subjugation of various kings and Vidyadhara lords, and his defeat of Indra.
   • Sītā's Story and Abandonment: The narrative includes the story of Sītā's previous births and her childhood. It describes her marriage to Rāma, her abduction by Rāvaņa, her subsequent abandonment by Rāma due to public slander, and her ordeal by fire. It also details the births of Rāma's twin sons, Lavaņa and Ankuśa, and their eventual reunion with Rāma.
   • Killing of Rāvaņa: The climactic battle between Rāma's forces and Rāvaņa's army is described, culminating in Rāvaņa's death at Lakṣmaņa's hands.
   • Rāma's Reign and Emancipation: The text concludes with Rāma's return to Ayodhyā, his coronation, his subsequent decision to take initiation, and his eventual emancipation.

Appendices and Index:

• Appendix I: Additional Notes: Provides explanations and clarifications for certain terms, references, and potential textual issues.
• Appendix II: New and Rare Words: A glossary of Sanskrit and Prakrit words that are uncommon or have specific meanings within the text.
• Text Corrections: A list of corrections for errors found in the printed text.
• Index of Names and Subjects: An extensive index of all mentioned personages and key subjects.
• Index of Sanskrit and Prakrit Words: A comprehensive index of words used in the text.

Overall Significance:

This volume provides detailed narratives of significant figures in Jain cosmology, including Tirthankaras, Baladevas, Vasudevas, Prativasudevas, and Cakravartins. It also presents the Jain version of the Rāmāyaṇa, highlighting distinct theological and ethical perspectives compared to other traditions. The translator's notes, appendices, and indexes are crucial for understanding the nuances of the text and its cultural context. The work is a testament to the rich narrative and philosophical tradition of Jainism.