Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
Jain Terms Preserved:
The Thirty-Fourth Chapter
105
In the preface, the chief of the Ganadhara, Shranika, asked this: "O Lord! Who is this Narada, and from where is his origin?" [12]
Ganadhara replied: "Listen, O Shranika, I shall tell you about the origin and status of the Antyadehika (one with the last body) Narada. [13]
There was an Ashrama of the ascetics (Tapasas) in the south, at the end of the city of Saurya. The ascetics residing there lived on fruits, roots, etc. [14] There, an ascetic named Sumitra, who lived on Ucchvritta (gleaning), had a wife named Somayasha. He begot a son in her, who was as radiant as the moon. [15]
When the child was lying down, the two, being hungry and thirsty, came to the city for the purpose of Ucchvritta. Meanwhile, the Jambuka devas, out of affection from the previous birth, saw the child, took him to the Vaitadya mountain, and placed him in a gem-and-gold cave. There, they nourished the child with the divine food from the Kalpavrikshas (wish-fulfilling trees). [16-18]
The devas, being pleased with him, gave him the secret Jinagama (Jain scriptures) and the Akashagamini Vidya (the knowledge of flying in the sky) when he was eight years old. [19]
This Narada became well-versed in many sciences and skilled in various scriptures. Through the association of the Sadhus (ascetics), he attained Samyamasanyama (partial control and lack of control). [20]
Though he had conquered Kandarpya (the god of love), he was not deluded by Kandarpya. He was dear to those with Kandarpya (the lustful), yet he was free from the playfulness of laughter and the charm of hair. [21]
Though he was Antyadehika (one with the last body) by nature and free from passions, he was mostly inclined towards witnessing battles. He was often the chief among the talkative. [22]
Out of curiosity, he roams the world, marveling at the great events of the Jina's birth, consecration, and other such extraordinary occurrences. [23]