Agam 08 Ang 08 Antkrutdashang Sutra Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana, Rajkumar Jain, Purushottamsingh Sardar
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 200

Elucidation
In Jain literature Sri Krsna is called Krsna Väsudeva. According to grammatical basis the meaning of word Vasudevu is-the son of Vasudeva (Vasudevasya apatyam pumān Vāsudevaḥ). The name of Krsna's father was Vasudeva. So he is called Väsudeva word Väsudeva generally denotes Krsĩa. Really it is Krsnu's other name.
Though this meaning of word Vāsudeva is generally in vogue, yet this word became technical in Jainology. Hence Vāsudeva word is used for all monarchs or sovereings of half the land (rulers of three regions of India). According to Jain tradition, there became nine Vasudevas in this Avasarpiņi kāla (time era). The names of these are-1. Triprstha, 2. Dwiprstha, 3. Swayambhū, 4. Purusoitama, 5. Purușasingha, 6. Puruşupundarika 7. Datta, 8. Nārāyana (Luxmaņa) and 9. Krsna. Among all these Krsna is the last Vāsudeva.
According to Jain tradition Vasudeva is an appellation. As such, this technical term indicates the person who has seven gems, the ruler of three regions out of six regions (of India) and has many occult powers. According to Jain-view, Vasudeva, conquering and killing Prati-Vāsudeva, rules over three regions as the only monarch.
Besides this, among twenty eight high occult powers, Vasudeva speciality is also considered as special occult power. To obtain this dignity is the fruition of Vasudeva occult power.
Väsudeva has enormous strength and power. Juinācāryas have described this strength and power by a simile-Sitting on the bank of a well and eating food there, the Vasudeva, if binded by iron chains if pulled by sixteen thousand rulers with their fourfold army using their full power cannot pull him; but if Vasudeva wishes he can pull all of them towards himself easily by his only left hand, with the medium of the same iron chain.
The description of Sri Krsna that we find in Jain holy scripture (ägumas) is opulent with the same Vāsudeva occult power.
Niyāna kada-Nidānakrta-Nidāna is a special technical word in Jain tradition. Due to the rise of infatuation relating karma when the sage, nun, laymen or lay women make a sinful strong volition in heart that as the fruition of the austerity I must obtain such and such thing, it is called sinful resolution (Nidāna). Generally people term it in folk language as niyānā. Volition never brings bliss.
प्रथम अध्ययन
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