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INTÉR VENING STORIES
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His birth place is mentioned as Khattiyakundaggămanayara in the Kalpasūtra (19-20) and as Kundalanayara in the TP (4.549). The Kalpasūtra refers to the transfering of Mahāvīra's embryo from the womb of Devānanda into that of Trisala and the marriage of Mahavira, but the PCV does not refer to them.
5. Lord Rşabha, the first Tirthankara : Gautama commences the narration of the true story of Padma (Rāma) to śreņika with a brief account of the Universe, the factor of Time and the advent of the fourteen Kulakaras and thereafter relates the biography of the first Tirthaikara (3.61-4.81) with whom is associated the origin of the Ikşvāku, Soma and the Vidyādhara-vainsa.
The first Tirthaukara was the son of Marudevī and Nabhi, the fourteenth Kulakara. His birth was preceded by a shower of gems and gold (rayanavutthi, hirannavutthi 3.67,68) hence he was called Hiranyagarbha. He was named Rşabha (Usabha 3.106) because at the time of the birth of his embryo the complexion of his mother had become as white as the Kunda flower and the moon (kundasasivappo 3.108). He had a mark of Śrīvatsa on his chest and his height grew up to 500 bows. Dhanada had built a city for his habitation. Rşabha for the first time established villages, towns and cities. He introduced various sciences and professions. He originated three social orders viz. Kșatriya, Vaisya and Sudra'. He had two wives-Sumangală and Nandā, one hundred sons, Bharata and others and two daughters Brāhmi and Sundari. He for the first time taught politics and other social sciences to his subjects. In course of time on seeing a blue garment (nīlam vásam datthum 3.122) he proceeded to Vasantatilakaudyana, seated in the Sudarśana palanquin and after having pulled out five hand-fulls of hair from his head he accepted monkhood (3.136). He along with his four thousand disciples undertook to observe fast for one year. The monks who could not withstand the extremities of the penance left him and became Tāpasas (3.143). He made Nami and Vinami as the first lords of the Vidyadhara-vamsa (3.161 ). After the completion of one year he broke his fast at Gajapuranagara accepting the juice of sugarcane offered to him by Sreyāṁsa, the king of that city. That occasion was hailed as bringing into motion the second wheel of the chariot of Religion (dhammarahassa bīyam cakkaṁ samuddhariyam 4. 15). He then absorbed himself in meditation of the right type (pasatthajhāņam 4. 16) in
1. See 4.65-85 for the origin of the fourth social order.
