Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Varuna’s third incarnation which is the sixth part of chapter II of the English translation of the Parshvanatha-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Parshvanatha in jainism is the twenty-third Tirthankara (Jina) and one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Part 6: Varuṇā’s third incarnation
The cow-elephant Varuṇā practiced very severe penance, so that she became a goddess in the second heaven, after death. There was no god in Īśāna whose heart was not won by her wealth of fascinating beauty and grace. But she did not pay any attention to any god at all, absorbed in thought of meeting the god with the soul of the elephant. The god with the soul of the elephant had great affection for her and, knowing by clairvoyance that she was in love, had her brought to Sahasrāra. The god made the goddess the crest-jewel of his harem. For affection connected with former births in very strong. Enjoying sensuous pleasure, suitable to the heaven Sahasrāra, with her, he passed the time, foreseeing no separation.