Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Suparshva’s messenger-deities (shasanadevatas) which is the tenth part of chapter V of the English translation of the Suparshvanatha-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Suparshvanatha in jainism is one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Part 10: Supārśva’s messenger-deities (śāsanadevatās)
Originating in that congregation, Mātaṅga, darkbodied, with an elephant for a vehicle, with two right hands of which one held a bilva and the other a noose, and two left hands of which one held an ichneumon and the other a goad, became a messenger-deity at the side of Supārśva Svāmin. Arising in the same way, Śāntādevī, gold colored with an elephant for a vehicle, with two right hands of which one was in varada-position and the other was holding a rosary, and with two left hands, one of which held a trident and the other was in abhayada-position, was a messenger-deity of the Lord, always in his vicinity.