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LIFE OF MALÁVÍRA.
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and supreme wisdom and perception, which is infinite in its subjects, incomparable in its kind, imperturbable, free from all obscurity, a touchstone for all other things, and perfect in all its parts. It was under Sváti, however, that the lord obtained Nirván (cessation from action, and freedom from desire).
In this age, and at that time, the adorable ascetic Mahávíra, in the summer season, in the fourth month, in the right demi-lunation, during the increasing moon of Ashadha, and on its sixth day, descended from the all-joyous super-celestial abode* called Pushpottara, which, like the lotus among flowers, is the chief of all the super-celestial abodes. There having remained twenty oceans of years, and expended the life destined for him in that place, having finished the actions of that state, and laid aside his celestial form, without the smallest interval of time, he descended to this earth in the continent of Jambudvípa, in the country of Bharata Varsha, that Bharata Varsha which lies to the south of Meru), during the currency of this Avasarpini (age), after the Happy
viz., a golden, a silver, a brass, and an iron foot; each less lucky than the preceding.
* These are the abodes by the Jains called l'imam, a term used by the Bralumans for a celestial ear, or any other kind of conveyance
