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## The Illustrated Manuscript of the Adipurana
This illustrated manuscript of the Adipurana is published for lovers of religion, literature, and art. The birth of Bahubali, a son, and Sundari, a daughter, brought great joy to Rishabhadeva. He taught his children various beneficial knowledge. He taught his daughters writing (lip) and numbers (ank). This Adipurana is the initial part of the Mahapuraana, composed by the great poet Pushpadanta in the 10th century (959-965 CE) in the Apabhramsha language. It narrates the life story of the Tirthankara Rishabhadeva.
One day, Rishabhadeva experienced detachment when the celestial dancer Neelanjhana became absorbed in her dance during an assembly. He entrusted his kingdom to his eldest son Bharat and gave appropriate ownership to his other sons. Then, he embraced the life of a monk.
According to Jain tradition, the cycle of time (kal-chakra) is always in motion, moving in an ascending (utsarpini) and descending (avsarpiini) manner. Currently, the fifth stage of the descending cycle is prevailing. In the fourth stage of this descending cycle, Rishabhadeva, the first, and Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and final Tirthankara, appeared. Before this, in the third stage, people were unaware of how to offer food to monks. This period is called "Bhogabhoomi."
During this time, due to the lack of any means of livelihood, they had to wander for six months. While wandering, they reached Hastinapur. There, King Somaprbha ruled. His younger brother was named Shreyans. Shreyans had a connection with Rishabhadeva from a previous life. In Rishabhadeva's previous life, he was known as "Vajrajangha" and his wife was named "Shrimati." They were the last of the fourteen "Kulkaras" (also known as "Manus").
During that time, they offered food to a monk. In the same sequence, the last Kulkara/Manu, Shri Nabhiray, lived in Ayodhya. His wife was Marudevi. On the ninth day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra, Rishabhadeva was born to them.
Shreyans remembered his past life and recalled all the events. Therefore, when he saw Rishabhadeva coming for food, he welcomed him and offered him "Ikshurasa" (sugarcane juice). This food was offered on the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha. Since then, this day has been known as "Akshayatritiya."
When the Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling trees) perished, people faced difficulties in their livelihood. To help them, Rishabhadeva taught them six professions: Asi (military), Masi (writing), Krishi (agriculture), Vidya (music, dance, singing), Shilpa (creation of various objects), and Vanijya (trade). These professions enabled people to sustain their lives. This marked the beginning of "Karmabhoomi."
As a result of his self-realization, Rishabhadeva attained divine knowledge (divyajnan) and omniscience (kevalgyan). He became "Sarvagya" (omniscient). He preached the welfare of all beings in the world through "Divyadhwani" (divine sound). He established the entire system with his wisdom and skill. Therefore, he was known as Adipurusha, Brahma, Vidhata, etc. He is considered the founder of Jainism in this descending cycle.
At the end of his life, he reached Mount Kailash and attained liberation (moksha) from there. King Nabhiray married him to two princesses, Yashasvati (Nanda) and Sunanda.
Later, at his father's request, he took charge of the kingdom. His rule brought great satisfaction to his people. Over time, Yashasvati gave birth to a hundred sons, including Bharat, and a daughter named Brahmi. Sunanda also gave birth to many children.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, former President of India and a renowned philosopher, wrote in his book "Indian Philosophy": "According to Jain tradition, Jain philosophy originated with Rishabhadeva. There is ample evidence to suggest that Jainism existed a century before the Christian era."
The cycle of time moves from happiness to sorrow and then from sorrow to happiness. The period of movement from happiness to sorrow is called "Avsarpini," and the period of movement from sorrow to happiness is called "Utsarpini."
Each cycle has six divisions: 1. Atisukhrupa (extreme happiness), 2. Sukhrupa (happiness), 3. Sukh-dukhrupa (happiness and sorrow), 4. Dukha-sukhrupa (sorrow and happiness), 5. Dukhrupa (sorrow), and 6. Atidukhrupa (extreme sorrow). In the fourth division (Dukhama-sukhma) of each Utsarpini and Avsarpini cycle, there are twenty-four Tirthankaras who preach Jainism. Tirthankaras do not establish new sects or religions, but rather, they experience the eternal self-religion (atmadharma) and, with detachment, re-interpret or preach it.
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