Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canons

SR No.: 011077
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jagdishchandra Jain
Publisher: New Book Company
Publication Year: 1947
Total Pages: 429
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 382

374
LIFE IN INCIENT INDIA
The remaining Tirtharkaras were born in Ayodhya, Hastināpura, Mithilā, Campā and other places, and a majority of them attained salvation at Sammeya,"
THE TWELVE CAKRAVARTINS
Then we come to the Cakrc"artins or universal monarchs, the earliest reference to whom is made in the Samavayanga 13 Bharata was the first universal monarch and he was the son of Usabha by Summangalā Bharata is said to have started on his conquests with his 'cakra' jewel and conquered the holy places such as llagadha in the cast of Jambudvipa, Varadāma in the south, and Pabhāsain the west, and the goddess Sindhu, the Veyaddha and Timisaguha Then he crossed the gicat river Sindhu by the camma' jewel and conquered the countries of Simhala, Babbara, Anga, Cılāya, Javanadiva Arabaka, Romaka Alasanda, the mlecchas known as Pikkhura, Kalamuha and Jonaka, thc mlecchas residing on the southern direction of the Veyaddha, and the region from south-west direction up to the Sındhusāgara, and finally the most beautiful land of Kaccha Then Bharala is said to have marched tlu ough the Timisaguha and ordered his general to open its southern gate Then Bharata is stated to have crossed the rivers named Ummaggajalā and Nimaggajala and defeated the Cilāyas known as Juada, who were dwelling in the northern half of Bharaha and were rich, arrogant, powerful, fiery, like demons on earth Then he conqucrcd Culla Himavanta and procceded to Usabhakūda mountain whcrc with his haganī' jewel Bharata wrote down his name stating that he was the first univcısal monarch. Then he proceeded to the north of the Vayaddha mountain where Nami and Vinami, the Vidhyadhara kings, offered him the 'woman' jewel, viz , Subhaddā Then Bharata conquered the river Gangā and proceeded to the cave of Khandappavāya situated on the western bank of the river Gangā, and ordered his general to open the northern gate of the cave Here Bharata found out the nine ueasures
Thus attended by the fouilcon jewels Bharata i cturned to l inītā where his coronation ceremony was peilor med with cat poinp and splendour. After Bharata had seated himself on the thionc, hc asked his ninets eight brothers either to scie bim or quit the country, whereupon they renounced the world and joined the ascctic order under Usabha Then Bharata sent an envoy to Takkhasilā whcrc his brother Bahubali was ruling and asked him to obey his commands At this a battle look place between Bharata and Bahubali when the latter abdicated his kingdom and joined the ascetic order. In course of time, Bharata too
12 For references sec dla 72 382 fr, Uttara Sī 9, Ullerå Ti 18, FP 244 fl, No 8
Kalpa Si 63 70-18+, Vasu pp 300 301, 340 FT, 346 ff 18 They are Bharaha, Sagara Maghava, Sanakku mäia, Sanu, Kunthu Ara, Subhcma
Mahāpauma, Hariscna Jaya and Bambhadatta, Sn 12, also Āra Ni 374f, Thā, 10.718