History of Jainism

SR No.: 006741
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: U K Sharma
Publisher: D K Print World
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 304
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 10 MB

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Jaina Tīrthařkaras and antiquity of Jainism
attained mokṣa in the kāyotsarga posture 339 on Samet śikhara. 340
Malli - the nineteenth tīrthamkara
According to the Svetāmbara tradition, Malli, the nineteenth tirthařkara, was a woman.341 But according to the Digmbara tradition, Malli was a male.342 The Digambaras hold that a woman cannot achieve moksa and they name this tīrthařkara as Mallinātha.343 The Digambara view seems to have been accepted in iconography because the images of Malli do not have feminine features.344 According to the Svetāmbara tradition, Malli remained celibate and attained kaivalya on the day of her consecration itself.345 Mallinātha's father Kumbha was the king of Mithilā and his mother's name was Prabhāvati.346 According to the Jaina tradition, Malli descended for incarnation from the heaven Jayantadevaloka.347
According to the Jaina tradition, Mallinātha's height was 25 poles and he lived for 55,000 common years.348 His complexion has been described as blue.349 Malli became a kevalin under an asoka tree. 350 His first ganadhara and āryā were Abhikşaka and Bandhumati respectively.361 He attained moksa in the kāyotsarga posture 352 on Samet Sikhara 353
339. OISJ, p. 66. 340. JAA, I, p. 15. 341. Ibid., p. 15 fn. 1; JPV, p. 113; TSPC, IV, pp. 54-5. 342. Ibid., p. 16 fn; Ibid., p. 113. 343. Ibid., ibid. 344. JI, p. 77. 345. JPV, p. 113. 346. Ibid.; TSPC, IV, pp. 53-4. 347. OIS), pp. 66-70. 348. Ibid. 349. ERE, VII, p. 466. 350. OISJ, pp. 66-70. 351. Ibid. 352. Ibid., p. 66. 353. JAA, I, p. 15; TSPC, IV, p. 71.
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