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CHAPTER III
The Birthankaras and the Aras.
Jain Education International
THERE
e have given above a short history of the Aras. Here we will tell the readers in brief, as to which of the Tirthankaras are ascribed to a certain Ara and how their existence in that Ara becomes necessary to the world. When one eighth part of a Palyopama of the third Ara still remained to pass, five Kula-karas (Patriarchs or heads of a clan) took their birth in this world: their names were Sumati, Pratisurti, Simankara,Simandhara,and Kshemankara. People choose them to be their heads and acted according to their biddings and rules laid down by them. They lived in the land situated between the Ganges and Sindhu (Indus). In their time the feeling of egotism and pride had been born in the hearts of people. And the reason is not far to seek. The Kalpavrikshas (Desire fulfilling trees), had nearly disappeared; and the trees which still remained did not yield sweet and juicy fruits in sufficient quantity. We have already refered
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