________________
212
INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM
(ref.: Tilloya Pannatha, Triloka Saer, Padma Purāna, Harivamsa Purāna, Mahāpurāna). . ? According to Svetambaras (“the white-dressed”) and Digambaras (the gymnosophists) respectively. This “problem” we find also in Hindu and Theosophical literature. Sometimes two are taken together, because the Manu at the end of a Manuantaric cycle is taken together with the first Manu of the next such cycle. (The Digambaras sometimes mention 16, when they include Rishabha and his son Bharata as Kulankaras.) 8 The first of the Kulankaras, who was also the first of the Manus for this cycle, was Pratiśruti. The first Manu is called Svayambhuva in Hinduism and Theosophical references. The relationship between Svayambhuva and Nabhirāja is also mentioned in the Hindu Bhagavatam Purāna. 9 This idea seems to be supported by the Kalpa Sūtra, when its states that “Arhat Rishabha had instituted two epochs marking the end, which were as follows: the epoch signifying the termination of a 'generation', and an epoch signifying the termination of categories, the former having terminated after innumerable generations which had been lived through, the latter within less then 48 minutes after his attainment of omniscience” (Kalpa Sūtra, verse 226) 10 Karma-bhūmi. "In the Hindu system Rishabha was the ninth avatāra (out of 24) or incarnation of Vishnu. 12 Kalpa Sūtra, verse 207. " Depending on the literature consulted. 14 Other names, which were given to him by the gods, included Prajāpati - the forefather; Hiranyagarbha - the golden (allencompassing) aura; and Viśvakarma. Blavatsky says that (the Vedic) Višvakarma is "the great patron of the initiates," an "architect, artist or carpenter” and the “father," i.e. the initiator and teacher, of all later gods of his cycle, including the more recent ones which are known to us, like Jesus of Nazareth. He
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
