Salakapurusa

According to the Jain cosmology, the śalākāpuruṣa "illustrious or worthy persons" are 63 illustrious beings who appear during each half-time cycle.[1] They are also known as the trīṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣa (63 illustrious persons).[2] The Jain universal or legendary history is a compilation of the deeds of these illustrious persons.[3] Their life stories are said to be most inspiring.[4]

The śalākāpuruṣa comprise 24 Tirthankaras (Teaching Gods), twelve Chakravartin (universal monarchs, emperors of six continents), nine Balabhadras (gentle heroes), nine Narayanas (warrior heroes) and nine Prati-narayanas (anti-heroes).[1][5] According to Jain cosmology, time is without beginning and eternal. The Kālacakra, the cosmic wheel of time, rotates ceaselessly. The wheel of time is divided into two half-rotations, Utsarpiṇī or ascending time cycle and Avasarpiṇī, the descending time cycle, occurring continuously after each other. Utsarpiṇī is a period of progressive prosperity and happiness where the time spans and ages are at an increasing scale while the Avasarpiṇī is a period of increasing sorrow and immorality with decline in time spans of the epochs.[6] During each such time cycle, these 63 illustrious persons appear and establish the religion and order in society. According to Jain cosmology, since time is eternal, infinite kalacakras have elapsed and will occur in future and hence infinite sets of these 63 illustrious persons have appeared, and will appear, to establish order and religion in their respective eras.[7]

Origin and Etymology

The word salakapurusa is often translated as illustrious persons or worthy persons or mighty persons. It is derived from the Sanskrit compound of words salaka and purusa. "Purusa" means person, but "salaka" is of ambiguous etymology in this context. The primary meaning of the word salaka (Sanskrit: Śalākā, Pali: salākā, Prakrit: salāgā, salāyā) is "stick". In the Buddhist context it meant a ticket consisting of wooden sticks meant for voting or to distribute food; but in Jain context it was used to mean a stick and also a measurement and when combined with "purusa" to denote great heroes.[8] According to 11th century Jain author, monk Acharya Hemachandra, these persons are called salaka as they have been specially marked among men. This emphasised that the names of the salakapurusas were underlined or specially significant due to their deeds. John Cort also quotes another author, S. D. Parekh, who emphasises the root meaning of voting sticks and concludes that a salakapurusa is a great person, as his greatness has been accepted by general public.[9] Certain Śvētāmbara texts use the word Baladeva, Vāsudeva and Prativasudeva to refer Balabhadra, Narayana and Pratinarayana respectively.

The tradition of salakapurusas or Jain universal history started with the biographies of the Tirthankaras. Kalpasutra gives the names and brief biographies of only tirthankaras. It does not use the word salakapurusas or mention them by name, but does say that the categories of Arihants, Chakravartins, Balabhadras and Vasudevas are always born in royal families, thus foreshadowing 54 of the 63 salakapurusas. Furthermore, Jaini traces the origin of list of Baladeva and Vasudeva to the Jinacharitra (lives of the Jinas) by Bhadrabahu (3–4th century BCE).[10] A notable hagiography of these individuals is Hemachandra's Trīṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra.[11]

The following Jain texts chronicle the deeds of the salakapurusas:[12]

Digambara texts

Śvētāmbara texts

All traditions of Jainism now agree to the figure of 63 salakapurusas. However, the number of persons is 60 as three persons (Shantinath, Kunthunath and Aranath) were Chakravartins who later on became Tirthankaras.

Tirthankaras

Tīrthankaras (also known as Jinas) are Arhatas who are teachers and revivers of the Jain philosophy. There are 24 Tīrthankaras in each half time cycle; Mahāvīra was the 24th and last Tīrthankara of the current descending time cycle and Rishabha was the first Tirthankara. Tīrthankaras are literally "the ford makers", who have shown the way to cross the ocean of rebirth and transmigration and hence have become a focus of reverence and worship amongst Jains. The Tirthankara provides all creatures with the means to liberate the soul from the confines of the body and to rise towards bliss, enlightenment and release from the eternal cycle of rebirth. He advocates continence, truth, non-violence, simplicity and purity for those who seek liberation. Tīrthankaras ultimately become Siddhas on liberation.

Mahavira was the last Tirthankara and Salakapurusa of this descending time cycle as per the Jain Universal History

The twenty four Tīrthankaras of this descending time cycle are:

  1. Rishabha or Adinatha
  2. Ajitnath
  3. Sambhavanath
  4. Abhinandannath
  5. Sumatinath
  6. Padmaprabha
  7. Suparshvanath
  8. Chandraprabha
  9. Pushpadanta
  10. Sheetalnath
  11. Shreyansanath
  12. Vasupujya
  13. Vimalnath
  14. Anantanatha
  15. Dharmanatha
  16. Shantinatha
  17. Kunthunatha
  18. Aranatha
  19. Mallinath
  20. Munisuvrata
  21. Naminatha
  22. Neminathaa
  23. Parshva
  24. Mahavira

Chakravartin

14 Ratna (jewels) of Chankravartin. Miniature from 17th century, Saṁgrahaṇīratna by Śrīcandra, in Prakrit with a Gujarati commentary. Jain Śvetāmbara cosmological text with commentary and illustrations.

A Chakravartin (Universal Monarch) is the emperor of the world, lord of the material realm.[1] Though he possesses worldly power, he often finds his ambitions dwarfed by the enormity of the cosmos. Jain purunas give a list of 12 Chakravartins who flourished in this descending time cycle. Golden in complexion, they all belonged to Kasyapa gotra.[13] One of the greatest Chakravartis mentioned in Jain scriptures is Bharata in whose memory India came to be known as "Bharata-varsha". After conquering the whole world, King Bharata, brimming with pride, sought to inscribe his great feat on the slopes of Mount Meru. To his great dismay, he found the names of many other kings carved on Meru. Like him, they too had conquered the world. He was not the first man to do so. He was not the last. There were many before him, there were many after him. Bharata, humbled by the experience, returned to his kingdom to do his duty, aware that his actions were not unique and that his existence was not special.[1] The names of the twelve Chakravartins as per Jain Texts are:[14]

Lord Shantinatha, the sixteenth Jain Tirthankara was also a Chakravarti
  1. Bharata - Tirthankara Rishabha's son.
  2. Sagara - Ancestor of Bhagiratha as per Hindu Puranas.
  3. Maghava
  4. Sanatkumara
  5. Shantinatha - (also a Tirthankara)
  6. Kunthunatha - (also a Tirthankara)
  7. Aranatha - (also a Tirthankara)
  8. Subhuma
  9. Padmanabha
  10. Harishena
  11. Jayasena
  12. Brahmadatta

In Jainism, a chakravarti was characterised by possession of saptaratna, or "seven jewels":

  1. Sudarshana Chakra, a miraculous wheel that never misses its target
  2. Queen
  3. Huge army of chariots
  4. Jewellery
  5. Immense wealth
  6. Huge army of horses
  7. Huge army of elephants

Some texts cite navaratna or "nine jewels" instead, adding "prime minister" and "son". Some texts even further expands to 14 Ratna, jewels.

Triad of Baladeva, Vasudeva and Prativasudeva

Weapons and symbols of Vasudeva or Narayana. Miniature from 17th century, Saṁgrahaṇīratna by Śrīcandra, in Prakrit with a Gujarati commentary. Jain Śvetāmbara cosmological text with commentary and illustrations.

In every half time cycle, there are 9 sets of Balabhadra (gentle heroes), Narayana (violent heroes) and Prativāsudevas (anti-heroes). Unlike in the Hindu Puranas, the names Balabhadra and Narayana are not restricted to Balarama and Krishna in Jain puranas. Instead they serve as names of two distinct classes of mighty half brothers, who appear nine times in each half of the time cycles of the Jain cosmology and jointly rule half the earth as half-chakravarti. Ultimately Prati-naryana is killed by Narayana for his unrighteousness and immorality. Jaini traces the origin of this list of brothers to the Jinacaritra (lives of the Jinas) by Bhadrabahu swami (3-4th century BCE).[10] Jain Ramayana is based on the stories of Rama, Lakshmana and Ravana who are the eighth Baladeva, Narayana, Pratinarayana and respectively. Similarly Harivamsa Purana is based on the stories of Balarama, Krishna and Jarasandha, who are the ninth and the last set of Balabhadra, Narayana, and Pratinarayana.[15] However, the main battle is not the Mahabharata, but the fight between Krishna and Jarasandha who is killed by Krishna.

According to Jain texts, Narayana are generally of dark complexion and wear yellow garments. There are seven weapons and symbols of Narayana, namely: conch, discus (sudarshana chakra), club, bow, sword, jewel (kaustubha mani) and a garland of flowers (vanamala). Baladevas, half-brothers of Vasudevas, are described as fair in complexion and wear garments of dark blue and have a banner of palm tree. Their symbols or weapons are: bow, plough, pestle and arrow. The two brothers are inseparable and they jointly rule three continents as half-Chakravarti. Although Narayana is the mightier of the two, Balabhadra is depicted as superior for his non-violent ways and he achieves liberation. According to the Jain puranas, the Balabhadras lead an ideal Jain life.[16] Out of nine Balabhadra, eight attain liberation and the last one goes to heaven. On the other hand, Narayana go to hell on account of their violent exploits, even though they did these in order to uphold righteousness.[17]

Rama and Lakshmana are the eighth set of Baladeva and Vasudeva according to the Jain universal history

The list of Baladeva, Vasudeva and Prativasudeva are:[18]

No. Baladeva / Balabhadra Vasudeva / Narayana Prativasudeva / Pratinarayana
1 Acala Tripushta (or Prishtha) Asvagriva
2 Vijaya Dvipushta (or Prishtha) Taraka
3 Dharmaprabha (Bhadra) Svayambhu Naraka
4 Suprabha Purushottama Nisumbha
5 Sudarsana Nara (Purusha) simha Madhukatiabha
6 Nandi (Ananda) Pundarika Prahlada
7 Nandimitra (Mandana)[19] Dattadeva Bali
8 Rama Lakshmana Ravana[20]
9 Rama (Balarama) Krishna[20] Jarasandha

Hierarchy

Out of the above five classes of illustrious persons, Tirthankaras are placed at the top. They establish the religion and attain liberation. The Chakravarti attain liberation if they renounce their kingdom, or else go to hell if they indulge in sensual pleasures. Next in rank are Baladevas who are gentle heroes and devout laymen, who attain liberation corresponding to Tirthankaras. Vasudevas are also devout Jain laymen and ultimately attain liberation, but are first reborn in hell because of their violent actions. The mother of a Tirthankara sees 16 auspicious dreams dreams (14 dreams in some traditions) when the soul descents into her womb. The mother of a Vasusdeva sees seven dreams, while that of a Balabhadra sees only four dreams. The mother of a Prati-vasudeva sees no dreams.[21]

Certain Jain texts also depict the comparative powers of Salakapurusas in the following manner:[22]

Other classes of heros

In Jain universal history, other than these 63 Salakapurusa, there are other classes of 106 people who, though not depicted as salakapurusas, are important enough to be mentioned separately. They are:

No. Name Height Lifespan (Total Age) Narka
1 Bhima 80 dhansha 84 lakh years 7th
2 Mahabhima 70 dhanusha 72 lakh years 6th
3 Rudra 60 dhanusha 60 lakh years 6th
4 Maharudra 50 dhanusha 30 lakh years 6th
5 Kala 45 dhanusha 10 lakh years 6th
6 Mahakala 29 dhanusha 65,000 years 6th
7 Durmukha 22 dhanusha 32,000 years 5th
8 Narakamukha 16 dhanusha 12,000 years 4th
9 Adhomukha 10 dhanusha 1,000 years 3rd
No. Name Wife Height Teaching Lifespan (Total Age)
1 Pratisvati Swyamprabha 1800 dhanusha eliminated fear (due to lack of knowledge) of Sun and Moon 87 lakh years
2 Sammati Yashasvati 1300 dhanusha explained fear (due to lack of knowledge) Darkness and Stars 77 lakh years
3 Kshemamkara Sunanda 800 dhanusha company of carnivorous animals should be avoided 67 lakh years
4 Kshemamdhara Vimla 775 dhanusha defence from carnivorous animals 37 lakh years
5 Simamkare Manohari 750 dhanusha limit of Kalpavriksha 17 lakh years
6 Simamdhara Yashodhara 725 dhanusha division ownership over trees by marking 67,000 years
7 Vimalavahana Sumati 700 dhanusha how to ride an elephant, etc. 37,000 years
8 Chakshushment Dharini 675 dhanusha how to see a child's face 17,000 years
9 Yasasvin Kaantmaala 650 dhanusha how to name a child 1,200 years
10 Abhichandra Shrimati 625 dhanusha show a child moon etc., when he cries 87 lakh years
11 Chandrabha Prabhavati 600 dhanusha defence of children 77 lakh years
12 Merudeve Satya 575 dhanusha transportation 67 lakh years
13 Prasenachandra Amitmati 550 dhanusha how to cure diseases 37 lakh years
14 Nabhi Marudevi 525 dhanusha how to cut umbilical cord 17 lakh years

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Pattanaik, Devdutt (2009-08-18). "63 worthy beings". Mid-day. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27.
  2. ↑ Jaini 2000, pp. 377—378.
  3. ↑ Dundas 2002, p. 12.
  4. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2015, p. 199.
  5. ↑ Joseph, P. M. (1997), Jainism in South India, p. 178, ISBN 9788185692234
  6. ↑ Kothari, Dr. P. Ajay (2000) p. 90—91
  7. ↑ Kapadia 1941, p. 65.
  8. ↑ Cort, John (1997) p. 1357
  9. ↑ Cort, John (1997) p. 1358
  10. 1 2 Jaini 2000, p. 377.
  11. ↑ Hemacandra; R. C. C. Fynes (1998). The Lives of the Jain Elders. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-283227-6.
  12. ↑ John cort p.1356—57
  13. ↑ Shah, Umakant Premchand (1987) p. 72
  14. ↑ Jaini, J.L. (1940) Appendix III
  15. ↑ Jaini 1998, p. 305.
  16. ↑ Jain, Jagdish Chandra; Bhattacharyya, Narendra Nath (1994-01-01). Jainism and Prakrit in Ancient and Medieval India. p. 146. ISBN 9788173040511.
  17. ↑ Shah, Umakant Premchand (1987) p. 74–75
  18. ↑ Shah, Umakant Premchand (1987) p. 73–76
  19. ↑ von Glasenapp 1999, p. 308.
  20. 1 2 Choksi & Chhapia 2011.
  21. ↑ Cort, John (1997) p. 1360
  22. ↑ Muni Nagraj. p. 203

References

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