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ORIGIN AND GENEALOGY OE VARIOUS VANSAS
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4. Raksasa Vamsa :
According to the PCV, the Raksasa Varsa is a branch of the Vidyadhara Vamsa. It is said to have originated during the congregation of Ajitanātha, the second Tirthankara.
Sahasranayana, the prince of Gaganavallabhapura (northern Vijayārdha mountain) once attacked Meghavāhana, called Ghanavāhana also, the prince of Rathanūpura (southern Vijayārdha, mountain) on the issue of the marriage of the former's sister. Meghavahana then fled away and took shelter under Ajitanatha, the second Tírtharikara (5.64-77). On that occasion Bhima, the lord of demons (Rakkhasavaiņā Bhīmeņar 5.123-132) made Meghavahana first lord of Laukāpuri and Pāiālankärapura. Larkāpuri is said to have been situated in the valley of Trikūțaśikhara which stood in the middle of the Rakşasadvīpa. Further it is said that after the name of Rakkhasa (5.251), a desendant of Meghavāhana, his Vamsa came to be known as Rakkhasa Varsa (tassaya nāmeṇam imo, Rakkhasavamso yayammi vikkhão 5.252).
The author of the PCV remarks that originally they were Vidyadharas but as they protected the Rakkhasaddiva hence they were called Rakkhasas. They were neither the devas nor the demons (43.14). The Rakşasas are also called as Khecaras (Khayarāpam Rakkhasanāmam kayam loe 5.257) also.
The PCR completely agrees with the PCV. The PCS? mentions Toyadavāhana in place of Meghavāhana. The RPS' follows the PCR. The TSP of Hemacandra agrees with the PCV.
According to the VH (p.240), Rāvana was born in the line of Vidyādhara Sahasragriva. His brothers developed hostility with him, hence he established his kingdom in the Larkādvīpa. The UP (68.8-9) mentions Vidyādhara Sahasragrīva, a descendant of Vinami as the first lord of Larkāpura. He fled away to Larkāpura on being expelled by his nephew (brother's son) from Meghakutapura, situated on the southern Vijayārdha mountain. The MP (70.2) agrees with the UP.
According to the VR when Prajāpati created the water, he created living beings also for the protection of the water. These living
1. PCR, 5.76-93, 149-165, 378-386; 48.33. 2. PCS, 5.6-8; 6.1. 3. RPS, Ch. 3. p. 16. 4. IV. p. 107; II p.p. 18, 16.
