________________
10 ]
[ The twelve chakravatins.
THE TWELVE CHAKRAVATINS
or
EMPERORS.
There are twelve Chakravartins (Emperors) all of whom are born in Bharatavarsha; they rule over all the six continents of this world. Their lives are similar in many respects. The Jivatman (i. e. the soul subject to births and deaths) attains to the position of a Chakravartin (Soverign) due to good Karmas of the previons lives. Like the Tirthankaras, the Chakravartins, too, are born in the families of great kings and rulers. Later on, they conquer the whole world by means of their unsurpassingly magnificent opulence, great valour, and measureless power, and fix their flags of victory in all parts of it. They are highly proficient in practical sciences. With the help of their knowledge of science,
sharpness. (15) Six seasons are favourable. (16) Cold breezes sweep the ground to the extent of one Yojana (8 miles). (17) Artificial clouds rain sweet and fragrant water in proper quantities, (18) Five kinds of artificial flowers are showered on them, (19) Pleasant and delightful obiects of sight, smell, taste and touch appear every where while (20) Unpleasant objects disappear from their sight altogether. (21) They speak a dialect, named, Ardha-Magadhi, (22) Their speech can be understood by all. ( 23 ) Their voice is audible to a distance of eight miles. (24) The rage of friends and enemies is cooled down before them. (25) Believers in other creeds bow down to them, and ( 26 ) Those who do not bow down feel humiliated. ( 27 ) No worms and insects, and (28) No diseases and maladies, like apoplexy etc., make their appearance, and (29) There is no fear of 'Sva-Chakra' (own king) or (30) of Para-Chakra (a foreign king), within the range of 25 Yojanas (200 miles) round them. ( 31 ) There is no excessive rainfall (32) No scarcity of rain, and ( 33 ) no famine. (34) Old diseases disappear, and new ones do not spring up.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org