Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Kapila as disciple which is the sixth part of chapter I of the English translation of the Mahavira-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Mahavira in jainism is the twenty-fourth Tirthankara (Jina) and one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Part 6: Kapila as disciple
One day, a well-born youth, Kapila, met him. He informed Kapila, who was seeking dharma, about the religion of the Arhats. “Why do you not practice it yourself?” Kapila asked him. Marīci replied, “I am not able to practice that dharma.”
Kapila enquired, “Is not dharma found on your path?” Knowing that he was weak in the religion of the Jina and desiring a disciple, he told him,
“Dharma is found both on the path of the Jina and on my path.”
Then Kapila became his disciple. From the teaching of false dharma Marīci acquired a crore of crores of sāgaras[1] in worldly existence.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Abdhi=sāgara=sāgaropama = 10 crores of crores of palyopamas. K., p. 339.