Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

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

This page describes Gajasukumala which is the third part of chapter X of the English translation of the Neminatha-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Neminatha in jainism is the twenty-second Tirthankara (Jina) and one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.

After hearing that, Devakī, blaming her wicked act in a former birth, went to her house and continued to long for the birth of a son. Śārṅgapāṇi said, “Mother, why are you so sad?” She said: “What is the use of this fruitless life of mine? You were reared in Nanda’s house and your elder brothers in Nāga’s house. No child at all has been nursed by me like a cuckoo. I wish a son from eagerness to care for a child, son. Even animals arc happy, taking care of their offspring, themselves.”

Saying, “I shall fulfill your wish,” Hari went away and propitiated Naigameṣin, Śakra’s general. The god said: “Your mother will have an eighth son, but he, wise, will become a mendicant, when youth has bloomed.” In accordance with this speech, a very magnificent god fell from heaven, came to Devakī’s womb, and a son was born at the proper time.

Devakī herself cared for him, named Gajasukumāìa, like another Kṛṣṇa in beauty, resembling a god. He was extremely dear to his mother and like life to his brother. Moon to the night-blooming lotuses of their eyes, he gradually attained youth. At his father’s command Gajasukumāla married King Druma’s daughter, Prabhāvatī. At the insistence of his mother and brother he, though unwilling, married Somā, the daughter of a Brāhman, Somaśarman, born of a kṣatriyā.

Just then Nemi stopped in a samavasaraṇa and Gaja-sukumāla with his wives listened attentively to dharma. Their disgust with existence arose and, after obtaining his parents’ consent, Gaja together with his wives took the vow under the Master. When Gaja had become a mendicant, unable to endure separation from him, his parents and brothers, Kṛṣṇa and others, wept aloud.

In the evening, after asking the Master for permission, he performed the penance of statuesque posture in a cemetery and was seen by the Brāhman Somaśarman who had gone outside. Somaśarman thought, “This man, evil-minded, has married my daughter for ridicule, wishing to practice heresy.” Angry at this thought, Somaśarman, malevolent, stood the neck of a water-jar, filled with blazing coals from a funeral-pyre, on his head. Though burned severely by it, absorbed in meditation, he endured it. The fuel of karma being consumed, omniscience having arisen, he went to emancipation.

At dawn, Kṛṣṇa went in his chariot with attendants to see Gajasukumāla, his mind full of longing. Going outside Dvārakā, he saw an old Brāhman carrying a brick on his head to the temple. From compassion for him, Kṛṣṇa himself took a brick from the kiln to this temple and the people took (bricks) by the crore. After finishing the Brahman’s business, Janārdana went to Nemi. He did not see Gaja there, like a deposit left by himself.

Hari asked the Master, “Where is my brother Gaja?” and the Blessed One told Gaja’s emancipation by the Brāhman Soma. Then Govinda fainted and, consciousness regained, asked the Lord again, “How can I recognize my brother’s murderer?” The Blessed One said: “Do not be angry at Somaśarman. For he was an aid to your brother in attaining emancipation at once. Emancipation may be acquired after a long time, but in a moment with assistance, just like that you gave today to the old Brāhman in delivering the bricks. If Somaśarman had not done such a thing to your brother, how would his emancipation have taken place without any delay? The one who, going to hang himself after seeing you enter the city, dies with a broken neck—know that he is your brother’s murderer.”

Then Kṛṣṇa, weeping, performed his brother’s funeral rites, et cetera himself, entered the city and saw Soma dead just as described. He had him bound by the feet, had men drag him through the city, and had him thrown outside, a new offering for vultures, et cetera.

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