Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

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

This page describes Shanti’s moksha (emancipation) which is the sixteenth part of chapter V of the English translation of the Shantinatha-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Shantinatha in jainism is the sixteenth Tirthankara (Jina) and one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.

Part 16: Śānti’s mokṣa (emancipation)

Knowing that it was time for his emancipation, the Lord went to Mt. Sammeta and began a fast with nine hundred munis. At the end of the month, on the thirteenth of the dark half of Jyeṣṭha, the moon being in Bharaṇī, the Master attained emancipation with the munis. The Lord’s age was a lac of years, as he was prince, governor, cakrabhṛt, and in the vow for a quarter of a lac each. The emancipation of Śrī Śānti Śvāmin was three sāgaras, less a palya less a fourth, after the emancipation of Śrī Dharmanātha. The emancipation-festival of Jina Śānti was held there by the gods, the Indras, et cetera. In time Cakrāyudha, the gaṇadhara, acquired omniscience. After wandering over the earth to enlighten the souls capable of emancipation for a long time, he made final renunciation and at the end of his life attained emancipation together with many monks at the tīrtha Koṭiśilā.

Glory to the life, courageous and illustrious, with firm tranquillity, of Śānti, who showed facility even in the business of conquering the six-part earth, who took the vow after abandoning sovereignty like straw, whose glory was spread by his being a cakrin and especially by his being a Tīrthaṅkara.

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