Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

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

This page describes Utsarpini which is the eighth part of chapter XIII 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.

The two spokes that are the last and next to the last in avasarpiṇī are the first and second in utasarpiṇī, having their own powers. At the end of duḥṣamāduḥṣamā in utsarpiṇī, there will be five clouds that will rain for seven days each. Among these the first, named Puṣkara will sow the earth; the second, named Kṣīramegha, will make grain spring up; the third, Ghṛtamegha, will produce oil; the fourth, Amṛtamegha, will make herbs, et cetera. The fifth, Rasamegha, will make liquids of the earth, et cetera. For thirty-five days there will be rain with cool and moist cloudy weather. When they have seen the trees, herbs, vines, creepers, grass, et cetera, the cave-dwellers, delighted, will come out of their caves. They will say: ‘The land of Bharata has produced flowers, fruit, et cetera. Henceforth, meat will not be eaten. Whoever eats meat will be ostracized.’

As time passes, so beauty, bodily structure and age, grain, et cetera will increase in Bharata. There will be pleasant winds; the seasons will be merry; animals and men will gradually be free from disease. At the end of duḥṣamā there will be seven founders of families in East Bharata. The first of these will be Vimalavāhana; in succession Sudāman, Saṅgama, Supārśva the fourth, Datta, Sumukha, and Sammuci. Then with recollection of former births, the first of these, Vimalavāhana, will settle villages, cities, et cetera for the sake of a kingdom. He will collect cattle, elephants, horses, et cetera and will make appear the crafts, trade, writing, arithmetic, et cetera. Milk, curd, et cetera, grain, and fire having come forth, he, a benefactor, will teach cooking, et cetera to his subjects.

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