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KALPAVATANSIKA (Meaning with Commentary)
INTRODUCTION:
The first section titled Niryaavalika contains the stories of King Shrenik's ten sons from his ten queens including Queen Kaali. As a result of their indulgence in extreme violence, sin, and evil conduct they all were born in hell after their death. As it contains the description of hell-bound beings this section is named Niryaavalika.
When the ten queens including Kaali listened from Bhagavan Mahavir about the sad demise of their sons and their passage to hell, they got detached from mundane pleasures. They all got initiated in Bhagavan Mahavir's order. They attained salvation by indulging in rigorous austerities. The description of their initiation and austerities is available in Antakrid-dashanga Sutra.
It is quite possible that when the sons of these princes including Kaal Kumar heard the description of the bad end of their fathers, they were also filled with aversion for the mundane and regal pleasures and got detached. After that these princes also attended Bhagavan Mahavir's discourse and got initiated.
After their death, King Shrenik's ten sons went to hell due to their covetousness for the throne. But his grandsons renounced the regal grandeur and went to heaven after dressing intense austerities.
Brief description of initiation of these princes including Padma is given in this second section titled Kalpavatansika. As this contains the story of those destined to the Kalp Vimans (celestial vehicles), this section named Kalpavatansika is known as a ninth UPANG now-a-days. It seems to be an upang of ninth Ang-Sootra named Anuttaropapaatikdasa. This Aagam contains ten chapters.
Chapter (Adhyayan) -1- Padma
[1] Meaning- Jambu Swami asked "Bhante ! When aforesaid is the text and meaning of the first section of the Upanga named Niryavalika as given by Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir, who has attained the eternal abode of theSiddha-state, how many chapters are said to be there in the second section called Kalpavatansika ?"
Sudharma Swami replied "Jambu ! Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir has preached ten chapters of Kalpavatansika, the second section. They are (1) Padma, (2) Mahapadma, (3) Bhadra, (4) Subhadra, (5) Padmabhadra,(6) Padmasen, (7) Padmagulma, (8) Nalinigulma, (9) Anand, and (10) Nandan.
Jambu- "Bhante! If there are ten chapters in Kalpavatansika, as given by Shraman Bhagavan. Mahavir, what is the text and meaning of the first chapter of Kalpavatansika ?"
Sudharma Swami-"Jambu ! During that period of time there was a city called Champa. There was a garden called Purnabhadra (outside this city in the north-east direction). The ruler of the city was King Kunik. His consort was queen Padmavati. (detailed description as in Aupapatik Sutra)
Also in Champa city lived Kaali Devi, wife of King Shrenik and a step mother of King Kunik. She too had delicate limbs and was very beautiful. Kaali Devi had son named Kaal Kumar. This Kaal Kumar's consort was Padmavati, who was very delicate. She lived happily enjoying comforts of life.
Aagam - 20 - Kalpavatansikaka
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Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
