Salakapurusa
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According to the
The śalākāpuruṣa comprise 24
Origin and Etymology
The word salakapurusa is often translated as illustrious persons or worthy persons or mighty persons. It is derived from the Sanskrit compound of words
The tradition of salakapurusas or Jain universal history started with the biographies of the
The following
Digambara texts
- Satkhandagama(1st century) – This gives a description of Jain universal history in a rudimentary form.
- Tiloya Panatti by Yativṛṣabha (7th century) – This text gives descriptions of other Jain heroes i.e. 9 Naradas, 11 Rudras and 24 Kamadevas,[15] but specifically states that there are only 63 salakapurusas.
- Adipurana by Acharya Jinasenaand Gunabhadra (9th century) – This text is also known as Trisastilaksanamahapurana (The great purana describing 63 great heroes). By this time the number of heroes had come to be fixed at 63.
- Harivamsa Purana composed by Acharya Jinasena.
Śvētāmbara texts
- Kalpasutra – Devoted mainly to stories of Rishabhanatha, Neminatha, Parshvanathaand Mahavira. It names other tirthankaras and also mentions the categories of Chakravartins, Baldeva and Vasudeva without giving individual names.
- Samavayanga Sutra – This text gives description of sixty-three and fifty-four salakapurusas in different places.
- Paumacarya' by Vimalasuri (2nd century) – This is the Jain version of Ramayana. The story of Rama the eighth Baladeva is narrated within the context of 63 salakapurusas. The later texts were influenced by Paumacarya.
- Cauppanamahapurisacariya by Silanka (9th century) – This narrates the deeds of fifty-four great heroes.
- Trisastisalakapurusacaritra by Hemacandra (11th century) – The deeds of 63 illustrious persons, and one of the most popular text of Jain universal history.
- Kahavali by Bhadresvara (13th century) — This text raised the number of salakapurusa to 72 by adding 9 Naradas.
All traditions of Jainism now agree to the figure of 63 salakapurusas. However, the number of persons is 60 as three persons (
Tirthankaras
Tīrthankaras (also known as Jinas) are Arhatas who are teachers and revivers of the Jain philosophy. There are 24 Tīrthankaras in each half time cycle;[15] Mahāvīra was the 24th and last Tīrthankara of the current descending time cycle and Rishabhanatha was the first Tirthankara. Tīrthankaras are literally "the ford makers", who have shown the way to cross the ocean of rebirth and transmigration and hence have become a focus of reverence and worship amongst Jains. The Tirthankara provides all creatures with the means to liberate the soul from the confines of the body and to rise towards bliss, enlightenment and release from the eternal cycle of rebirth. He advocates continence, truth, non-violence, simplicity and purity for those who seek liberation. Tīrthankaras ultimately become Siddhas on liberation.
The twenty four Tīrthankaras of this descending time cycle are:
- Rishabhanatha or Adinatha
- Ajitanatha
- Sambhavanatha
- Abhinandanatha
- Sumatinatha
- Padmaprabha
- Suparshvanatha
- Chandraprabha
- Pushpadanta
- Shitalanatha
- Shreyansanatha
- Vasupujya
- Vimalanatha
- Anantanatha
- Dharmanatha
- Shantinatha
- Kunthunatha
- Aranatha
- Mallinatha
- Munisuvrata
- Naminatha
- Neminatha
- Parshvanatha
- Mahavira
Chakravartin
A
- Bharata
- Sagara
- Maghava
- Sanata Kumara
- Shantinatha – (also a Tirthankara)
- Kunthunatha – (also a Tirthankara)
- Aranatha – (also a Tirthankara)
- Subhauma
- Padmanabha
- Harishena
- Jayasena
- Brahmadatta
In Jainism, a chakravarti was characterised by possession of saptaratna, or "seven jewels":
- Sudarshana Chakra, a miraculous wheel that never misses its target
- Queen
- Huge army of chariots
- Jewellery
- Immense wealth
- Huge army of horses
- Huge army of elephants
Some texts cite navaratna or "nine jewels" instead, adding "prime minister" and "son". Some texts even further expands to 14 Ratna, jewels.
Triad of Baladeva, Vasudeva and Prativasudeva
In every half time cycle, there are 9 sets of Balabhadras (gentle heroes), Vasudevas (violent heroes) and Prativāsudevas (anti-heroes).[15] Unlike in the Hindu Puranas, the names Balabhadra and Narayana are not restricted to Balarama and Krishna in Jain puranas. Instead they serve as names of two distinct classes of mighty half brothers, who appear nine times in each half of the time cycles of the Jain cosmology and jointly rule half the earth as half-chakravarti. Ultimately Prati-naryana is killed by Narayana for his unrighteousness and immorality. Jaini traces the origin of this list of brothers to the Jinacaritra (lives of the Jinas) by Bhadrabahu swami (3–4th century BCE).[12] Jain Ramayana is based on the stories of Rama, Lakshmana and Ravana who are the eighth Baladeva, Narayana, Pratinarayana and respectively. Similarly Harivamsa Purana is based on the stories of Balarama, Krishna and Jarasandha, who are the ninth and the last set of Balabhadra, Narayana, and Pratinarayana.[18] However, the main battle is not the Mahabharata, but the fight between Krishna and Jarasandha who is killed by Krishna.
According to Jain texts, Narayana are generally of dark complexion and wear yellow garments. There are seven weapons and symbols of Narayana, namely: conch, discus (
The list of Baladeva, Vasudeva and Prativasudeva are:[21]
No. | Baladeva / Balabhadra | Vasudeva / Narayana | Prativasudeva / Pratinarayana |
1 | Acala | Tripushta (or Prishtha) | Asvagriva |
2 | Vijaya | Dvipushta (or Prishtha) | Taraka |
3 | Dharmaprabha (Bhadra) | Svayambhu | Naraka |
4 | Suprabha | Purushottama | Nisumbha |
5 | Sudarsana | Nara (Purusha) simha | Madhukatiabha |
6 | Nandi (Ananda) | Pundarika | Prahlada |
7 | Nandimitra (Mandana)[22] | Dattadeva | Bali |
8 | Rama | Lakshmana | Ravana[23] |
9 | Rama (Balarama) | Krishna[23] | Jarasandha |
Hierarchy
Out of the above five classes of illustrious persons, Tirthankaras are placed at the top. They establish the religion and attain liberation. The Chakravarti attain liberation if they renounce their kingdom, or else go to hell if they indulge in sensual pleasures. Next in rank are Baladevas who are gentle heroes and devout laymen, who attain liberation corresponding to Tirthankaras. Vasudevas are also devout Jain laymen and ultimately attain liberation, but are first reborn in hell because of their violent actions.
The mother of a Tirthankara sees 16 auspicious dreams (14 dreams in some traditions) when the soul descends into her womb. The mother of a Vasusdeva sees seven dreams, while that of a Balabhadra sees only four dreams. The mother of a Prati-vasudeva sees no dreams.[24]
Certain Jain texts also depict the comparative powers of Salakapurusas in the following manner:[25]
- A bull is as powerful as 12 warriors.
- A horse is as powerful as 10 bulls.
- A buffalo is as powerful as 12 horses.
- An elephant is as powerful as 15 buffalos.
- A lion with a mane is as powerful as 500 elephants.
- An octoped (Astapada mythical eight limbed animal) is as powerful as 2,000 maned lions.
- A Baldeva is as powerful as 1 million octopeds.
- A Vasudeva is as powerful as 2 Baldevs. (A Prati-vasudeva is slightly less powerful that a Vasudeva)
- A Chakravartin is as powerful as 2 Vasudevs.
- A Nagaraja (king of serpent gods) is as powerful as 100,000 Chakravartins.
- An Indra is as powerful as 10 million Nagarajas (kings of serpent gods).
- The power of innumerable Indras is insignificant as compared to that of the small finger of a Tirthankara.
Other classes of heroes
In Jain universal history, other than these 63 Salakapurusa, there are other classes of 106 people who, though not depicted as salakapurusas, are important enough to be mentioned separately. They are:
- 9 Narada
No. | Name | Height | Lifespan (Total Age) | Narka |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bhima | 80 dhansha | 84 lakh years | 7th |
2 | Mahabhima | 70 dhanusha | 72 lakh years | 6th |
3 | Rudra | 60 dhanusha | 60 lakh years | 6th |
4 | Maharudra | 50 dhanusha | 30 lakh years | 6th |
5 | Kala | 45 dhanusha | 10 lakh years | 6th |
6 | Mahakala | 29 dhanusha | 65,000 years | 6th |
7 | Durmukha | 22 dhanusha | 32,000 years | 5th |
8 | Narakamukha | 16 dhanusha | 12,000 years | 4th |
9 | Adhomukha | 10 dhanusha | 1,000 years | 3rd |
- 11 )
- 24 Jambusvami)
- 24 Fathers of the Tirthankaras (For list refer Tirthankara Table)
- 24 Mothers of the Tirthankaras. (For list refer Tirthankara Table)
- 14 Jain Cosmology
No. | Name | Wife | Height | Teaching | Lifespan (Total Age) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pratisvati | Swyamprabha | 1800 dhanusha | eliminated fear (due to lack of knowledge) of Sun and Moon | 87 lakh years |
2 | Sammati | Yashasvati | 1300 dhanusha | explained fear (due to lack of knowledge) Darkness and Stars | 77 lakh years |
3 | Kshemamkara | Sunanda | 800 dhanusha | company of carnivorous animals should be avoided | 67 lakh years |
4 | Kshemamdhara | Vimla | 775 dhanusha | defence from carnivorous animals | 37 lakh years |
5 | Simamkare | Manohari | 750 dhanusha | limit of Kalpavriksha | 17 lakh years |
6 | Simamdhara | Yashodhara | 725 dhanusha | division ownership over trees by marking | 67,000 years |
7 | Vimalavahana | Sumati | 700 dhanusha | how to ride an elephant, etc. | 37,000 years |
8 | Chakshushment | Dharini | 675 dhanusha | how to see a child's face | 17,000 years |
9 | Yasasvin | Kaantmaala | 650 dhanusha | how to name a child | 1,200 years |
10 | Abhichandra | Shrimati | 625 dhanusha | show a child moon etc., when he cries | 87 lakh years |
11 | Chandrabha | Prabhavati | 600 dhanusha | defence of children | 77 lakh years |
12 | Merudeve | Satya | 575 dhanusha | transportation | 67 lakh years |
13 | Prasenachandra | Amitmati | 550 dhanusha | how to cure diseases | 37 lakh years |
14 | Nabhi | Marudevi | 525 dhanusha | how to cut umbilical cord | 17 lakh years |
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d Pattanaik, Devdutt (18 August 2009). "63 worthy beings". Mid-day. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012.
- ^ Jaini 2000, pp. 377–378.
- ^ Dundas 2002, p. 12.
- ^ Vijay K. Jain 2015, p. 199.
- ISBN 9788185692234
- ^ Kothari, Dr. P. Ajay (2000) p. 90—91
- ^ Kapadia 1941, p. 65.
- ^ Cort, John (1997) p. 1357
- ^ Cort, John (1997) p. 1358
- ^ Lalwani, K.C. (1975). Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira: Life & Doctrine. Calcutta: Minerva Associates. pp. 10–11.
The author of the Kalpa Sutra has not bothered about introducing lesser personalities, though nonetheless important as men-that-count (salakapurusas).
- ^ Vyas 1995, p. 19.
- ^ a b Jaini 2000, p. 377.
- ISBN 978-0-19-283227-6.
- ^ John cort p.1356—57
- ^ a b c d Doniger 1999, p. 550.
- ^ Shah, Umakant Premchand (1987) p. 72
- ^ Jaini, J.L. (1940) Appendix III
- ^ Jaini 1998, p. 305.
- ISBN 9788173040511.
- ^ Shah, Umakant Premchand (1987) p. 74–75
- ^ Shah, Umakant Premchand (1987) p. 73–76
- ^ von Glasenapp 1999, p. 308.
- ^ a b Choksi & Chhapia 2011.
- ^ Cort, John (1997) p. 1360
- ^ Muni Nagraj. p. 203
Sources
- Choksi, Mansi; Chhapia, Hemali (10 February 2011), "Now, meet Ravan the saint", The Times of India
- ISBN 0-87779-044-2
- ISBN 0-415-26605-X
- Jaini, Padmanabh (2000). Collected Papers on Jaina Studies. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 81-208-1691-9.
- Johnson, Helen M. (1931), Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra, Baroda Oriental Institute
- Kothari, Dr. P. Ajay (2000). The concept of divinity in Jainism. Jaipur: Prakrit Bharti Academy. OCLC 54249279.
- von Glasenapp, Helmuth (1 January 1999), Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation, ISBN 81-208-1376-6
- Jaini, Padmanabh (1998). The Jaina Path of Purification. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-1578-5.
- Cort, John (1997). "Jaina Puranas". In Nagendra Kr. Singh (ed.). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. New Delhi: Anmol Publications. ISBN 81-7488-168-9.
- Shah, Umakant P. (1987), Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana: Jaina iconography, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 81-7017-208-X
- Kapadia, H. R. (1941). A History of the Canonical Literature of the Jainas. Ahmedabad: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational research Centre. OCLC 17048447.
- Jaini, J. L. (1940). F. W. Thomas (ed.). Outlines of Jainism. Cambridge (England): University Press. OCLC 3944002.
- Muni Nagraj (1986). Āgama and Tripiṭaka: A Comparative Study : a Critical Study of the Jaina and the Buddhist Canonical Literature, Volume 1. Today & Tomorrow's Printers and Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7022-730-4.
- Jain, Vijay K. (2015), Acarya Samantabhadra's Svayambhustotra: Adoration of The Twenty-four Tirthankara, Vikalp Printers, ISBN 978-81-903639-7-6, archived from the original on 16 September 2015,.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
- Vyas, Dr. R. T., ed. (1995), Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects, The Director, Oriental Institute, on behalf of the Registrar, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, ISBN 81-7017-316-7