Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

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

This page describes Nami’s parents which is the third part of chapter XI of the English translation of the Jain Ramayana, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. This Jain Ramayana contains the biographies of Rama, Lakshmana, Ravana, Naminatha, Harishena-cakravartin and Jaya-cakravartin: all included in the list of 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.

Part 3: Nami’s parents

Now in this Jambūdvīpa in this very Bhāratakṣetra there is a city Mithilā whose citizens were zealous in dharma. The circle of the walls, filled with jewels, gold, palaces, and markets, looks like a treasure-box of the earth. On all sides in it ponds in the gardens, inlaid with jewels, become muddy, as it were, with the pollen of the trees on their banks. Its king was Vijaya, victorious over all enemies, who exercised indraship on earth with the highest degree of glory. Without even frowning, without even arming his army, he overcame his enemies as easily as love overcomes young men. He was deep as the ocean, agreeable as the moon, strong as the wind, brilliant as the sun. His wife, named Vaprā, the ornament of all the harem, whose good conduct was made into an ornament, was like the earth embodied. Clear and deep as the Gaṅgā, purifier of the earth, indeed, giving pleasure to the eyes like moonlight, she shone forth. Whatever qualities—truthfulness, virtue, et cetera, are to be seen, because of these to a high degree, she alone of women was an example.

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