Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words

This page describes Birth of Suprabha which is the tenth part of chapter IV of the English translation of the Anantanatha-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Anantanatha in jainism is one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.

Part 10: Birth of Suprabha

At that time in Dvārakā, there was a king, Soma, equal to the sun and moon in his qualities. He had two wives—one, Sudarśanā, whose appearance was charming; the other, Sītā, whose face was equal to the moon. Now the god, King Mahābala, fell from Sahasrāra and entered Queen Sudarśanā’s womb. Then Queen Sudarśanā saw the four great dreams indicating the birth of a Sīrabhṛt in the last part of the night. When nine mouths, seven and a half days had passed, Queen Sudarśanā bore a son, the color of the moon. King Soma gave him the name Suprabha with a very great festival, satisfying the throng of beggars.

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