In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Dhanavasu (धनवसु) is the name of a merchant from Ratnapura, according to chapter 5.4 [śāntinātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, as King Ghanaratha said:—“there is a city Ratnapura, a heap of various jewels, in the province Airāvata in this same Jambūdvīpa. Two merchants lived there, great friends of each other, Dhanavasu the one, and Datta the other. Their desire for wealth not being allayed, desirous as thirsty cātakas, they filled carts, wagons, etc., with various kinds of merchandise. Always together, they wandered through villages, mines, cities, capital villages, etc., for trade, like fathers of poverty. [...]”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Svarnacula, Kancanakalasha, Tamracula, Shrinadi, Tamrakalasha, Datta.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Dhanavasu; (plurals include: Dhanavasus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 3: Former births of the cocks < [Chapter IV - Tenth incarnation as Megharatha]

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