Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This is the English translation of the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Charita (literally “The lives of the sixty-three illustrious People”), a Sanskrit epic poem written by Hemachandra in the twelfth century. The work relates the history and legends of important figures in the Jain faith. These 63 persons include: the twenty four tirthankaras , the t...
Notes on the maṇi-jewl
The shape of the maṇi-jewel is not at all clear to me. Usually when one dimension is given, it is the diameter of a circle or the side of a square. But the maṇi is triangular, according to Jambūdvīpaprajñapti 54, p. 223b and Pravacanasāroddhāra 1213-17, p. 350b.
The Jambūdvīpaprajñapti, says it is 4 aṅgulas in length and 2 in ‘pṛthula,’ that it is tryasra and also ṣaḍasra, which might be an equilateral triangle, 4 aṅgulas long and 2 thick. But it is compared in shape with a mṛdaṅga. Perhaps it was something like two pyramids put together.
The Pravacanasāroddhāra calls it tryasra and ṣaḍaṃśa. Placed on the handle of the umbrella-jewel it gave light for 12 yojanas. Fastened on the head or wrist it keeps off all calamities and disease, gives protection in battle, and preserves youth. Sthānāṅgasūtra 558, p. 399, also gives 4 aṅgulas dimension and half as broad, but no details as to shape.