Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Kunthu’s shasanadevatas (messenger-deities) which is the ninth part of chapter I of the English translation of the Shri Kunthusvami-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Shri Kunthusvami in jainism is one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Part 9: Kunthu’s śāsanadevatās (messenger-deities)
Originating in the congregation, the Yakṣa Gandharva, with a haṃsa for a vehicle, dark, with one right arm in the boon-granting position and one holding a noose, with left arms holding a citron and a goad, became the messenger-deity of Śrī Kunthunātha. Originating in that congregation, the goddess Balā, fair-bodied, with a peacock for a vehicle, with right arms holding a citron and a trident, with left arms holding a muṣaṇḍhī[1] and a lotus, always near, became the Lord’s messenger-deity.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
A round club of wood, studded with iron nails, according to Hemacandra’s Śeṣanāmamālā 151 (1693 in ed. in Bibl.), quoted in com, to Abhi. 3. 451. The spelling there used is muṣuṇḍhī, one of the numerous variations which include bhuṣaṇḍhī and its variants. Its meaning is also variously interpreted (see II, n. 128), but Hem.’s definition should apply to his own use. My former loaning toward ‘firearm’ must be revised.