Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

SR No.: 001001
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1931
Total Pages: 565
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, Story, N000, & N010
File Size: 11 MB

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its echoes, and bards recited: Hail! O Delight of the the World," etc. The palace, filled with the sounds of song and music and outcries of the bards, thundered as it were with delight at the arrival of the lord. Then he, like one who had just arisen from sleep, seeing this, wondered: "Is this magic? Is it a dream? Is it illusion? What sort of thing is it? Are the singing, dancing, etc., for my benefit ? Are these respectful people here for my benefit as their lord? How did I obtain this abode, luxurious, beautiful, enjoyable, pleasant, the abode of joy?" With folded hands the door-keeper gently informed him whose doubt was apparent: Today, O Lord, we are fortunate, having you as our lord. Show favor to us, humble, with your nectar-like glance. O Master, this is the Iśāna-heaven, granting anything wished for, with great and imperishable glory, always the abode of happiness. In that heaven you now adorn the palace Śriprabha which was gained by your merit. These are your Sāmānika gods, the ornament of your assembly; with them in the palace you appear like many persons, even though one. These are the Trayastrinśas, O Master, the abode of priest- and ministership. They await your commands. Instruct them at the proper time. These are the Pāriṣadya gods, the ministers of pleasures. They will divert your mind in assemblies of sport and pleasure. These are your body-guard (atmaraksa), always armed, keen, carrying thirty-six 78 weapons, expert in guarding their master. These are the Lokapālas, super
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76 480. Thirty-six weapons seem to be the conventional number for a full equipment, with Jain authors. In the Prabandhacintamani there are two references to a man learning the use of thirty-six weapons (Tawney, pp. 32, 120). But apparently the number only was fixed, not the weapons. I have found two lists of 36 in Jain works, but the names vary. As so little has been done in this field, I append a list taken from the commentary to the Dvyasrayakävya (II. 51), where Hem. refers to the thirty-six weapons.' It is curious to note that the two mentioned in the text are not included in the commentator's list.