Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

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Samudravijaya became the king of Sauripura. He was married to a princess named Sivadevi who was made the senior queen. On the thirteenth day of the bright half (sukla) of the month of Vaiśākha she gave birth to the twenty second Tirthankara Neminātha. Gods, kings of gods, and men celebrated the auspicious event of the birth of Bhagavānaa with great fan-fare. Vasudeva, the youngest brother of king Samudravijaya, was married to princesses Rohiņi and Devaki. Rohiņi gave birth to Balarāma and Devaks to Nārāyaņa Kļşņa.
During that period the most powerful ruler was king Jarāsandha of Rājagrha. When he came to know that Kșsna has killed his son-inlaw Karsa, he was furious at the Yādavas. Many a time he sent his son Kālayavana and brother Aparājita with some army contingents to punish Yadavas but every time they were defeated by the Yādavas. Krsna killed Jarāsandha's brother and son both. This added fuel to the fire and Jarāsandha launched a final attack with his great army. When Yādavas got this information through their spies they called an emergency meeting of the whole clan. After due deliberations a strategic decision was taken that the clan should migrate to some safe area in the western part of the country. As a result all the Yādavas from Śauryapura, Viryapura, and Mathura migrated to the West Coast of the country and founded the city of Dvārakā. The governance of the new city was handed over to Kșsņa. Ugrasena, the king of Mathura and father of Kamsa was given the kingdom of Giranāra. Nemikumāra was still an infant.
THE TEST OF STRENGTH
Bhagavāna had grown to be a youth. Krsna had become Nārāyaṇa. His armoury was equipped with Sudarśana Cakra, Sārnga bow and other specific weapons of the individual who attains the status of Nārāyaṇa. Krşņa had attained the status of Nārāyaṇa by virtue of conquering half of Bharata-khanda. However, Tīrthankara Neminātha commanded great respect among all Yādavas including Kșsna.
In the assembly one day there was a discussion about who was the strongest person of that period. Balarāma and other Yādavas said - “There is no one in the three worlds who can match Bhagavāna Neminātha in strength. He is a Tirthańkara, no one can be his equal." At these words Kļşņa looked at Bhagavāna and said with a smile,
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