Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

SR No.: 022643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 672
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Book_Devnagari
File Size: 18 MB

Page 179

150
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
10. Sanatkumāra : At the time of listening to the parentage and the enumeration of the previous births of the sixty-three illustrious persons of the Jaina faith, Srepika makes inquiry about the cause of the handsomeness of Sanatkumāra (the fourth Cakravartin). Gautama narrates the story (20.114-132).
Meghabahu on account of professing the Jaina faith was reborn as a Yakşa. He served some Sramanasangha and after his death was reborn as king Dharmaruci, son of Suprabhā and Tilakasundari of Mahapura. He renounced the world and was reborn as a celestial being. From there he was reborn as Cakravartin Sanatkumāra being the son of Sahadeva of Gajapura. Once on being praised by two gods for his handsomeness, he got puffed up and after having taken a bath and having adorned his body with resplendent garments he reappeared before the gods. But this time his countenance had become mild. Being told of it by the gods, he renounced the world, bore hardships suffering from many diseases, performed penances and attained many mystic powers. Once when he went to Vijayapura, his diseases vanished and he was greeted with a down-pour of gems (35.69-70). After his death he was reborn in the Sanatkumāra heaven.
He is referred to in the Uttar ādhyayana (18.37), the Sthānāngasūtra (10.718) and the Tiloyapannatti (4.515). The Maranasamāhi (410-411) mentions that Sanatkumāra suffered diseases.
The VH (p.233) mentions him as the son of Aśvasena and Sahadevi. The two celestials went to see him in the disguise of Brahmins. When Sanatkumāra suffered from diseases, Indra went to him as a physician, but the former refused to take his treatment and preferred to suffer his own karmas though he had powers to cure his diseases. The previous births are not narrated.
The PCR (20.137-163) mentions Hemabāhu for Meghabāhu. In the UP (61 104-130) his previous births are not narrated. He is the son of Anantavīrya of Vinitanagara (Ayodhyā) born of Sahadevī. He is said to have attained emancipation. The MP (59 17) agrees with the UP.
The TSP (III. p. 167f) describes four previous births of Sanatkumāra but the theme differs. According to it, king Vikramayaśas kidnapped the wife of Nāgadatta. The king after his death was reborn in the Sanatkumāra heaven and thereafter as a merchant Jinadharma at Ratnapura. Nāgadatta was reborn as a Brahmin. He became a threestave ascetic and out of previous enmity he took food in a hot dish arranged to be put on the back of Jinadharma with the help of the