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PUSHPIKA (Meaning with Commentary)
INTRODUCTION:
The first and second sections have incidents of Bhagavan Mahavir's period whereas the ten chapters of the third section, Pushpika, now-a-days which is known as Upang-10 (Aagam-21), contain stories related to periods of Bhagavan Mahavir and Bhagavan ParshvaNath both. Jyotishk Raajaas (kings of the stellar gods) including Chandra and Surya along with many other powerful goddesses come to behold and pay homage to Bhagavan Mahavir.
There the present dramatic performances in order to express their devotion and respect for Bhagavan Mahavir as also to display their opulence and grandeur. After their departure Gautam Swami inquires about their past births. Bhagavan Mahavir narrates religious conduct of those gods and goddesses during their past births. These details from past births relate to the period of influence of Bhagavan ParshvaNath.
Important thing is that in the first four chapters the concerned individuals died in unrighteous state of mind because, even while indulging in rigorous austerities, they did not pursue spiritual purity by performing critical review for transgressions in their accepted vows. This indicates that during last moments of his life an aspirant should essentially pursue spiritual purity by performing critical review for the transgressions in vows.
Chapter (Adhyayan) -1- Chandra
[1] Meaning- Jambu Swami asked-"Bhante! When aforesaid is the text and meaning of the second section of the Upanga named Kalpavatansika as given by Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir, what is the text and meaning of the third section of the Upanga named Pushpika ?"
Sudharma Swami replied "Jambu ! Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir has preached ten chapters of Kalpavatansika, third section of the Upanga named Pushpika. They are
[2] Meaning- (1) Chandra, (2) Surya, (3) Shukra, (4) Bahuputrika, (5) Purnabhadra, (6) Maanibhadra, (7) Datta, (8) Shiva, (9) Bala, and (10) Anadrit.
[3] Meaning- Jambu- "Bhante ! If there are ten chapters in Pushpika, as given by Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir, what is the text and meaning of its first chapter?"
Sudharma Swami replied as follows:
"Long lived Jambu ! During that period of time there was a city called Rajagriha where there was a chaitya (garden) called Gunasheelak. The ruler of the city was King Shrenik. During that period of time Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir arrived at Gunasheelak Chaitya in Rajagriha. People came to pay homage.
During that period of time Chandra, the king of Chandra Jyotishk gods was sitting on a throne named Chandra in the Sudharma assembly in Chandravatansak Viman (celestial vehicle). [In that assembly four thousand vehicle based gods, four queen-goddesses, three types of assemblies, seven armies, seven commanders, sixteen thousand guard-gods and a mass of many other gods and goddesses residing in that viman were in attendance.
They were enjoying the divine pleasures that included drama as well as loud and resonant musical performance of instruments like ---- Veena, cymbal, bronze cymbal, Trutit, and Ghan Mridang Aagam - 21 - Pushpika
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
