Book Title: Introduction to Jainism and its Culture
Author(s): Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

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Page 224
________________ sky-clad ascetic to pursue his spiritual goal. After the formal two-day fast, seeking alms he came to Hastināpura and was served food by King Dharmamitra. He then commenced harsh austerities and attained omniscience after sixteen years. After establishing the religious order he wandered around spreading his spiritual message. In the end he attained nirvana at Sammeda Sikhara. His symbol was goat. His attending deities were Gandharva Yaksa and Mahāmansi Yakşiņi. BHAGAVĀNA ARA NĀTHA -- He was born to queen Mitrasenā, the wife of King Sudarśana (belonging to the Kuruvamsa of Ikşvāku family and Kāśyapa gotra) of Hastināpura city. In due course he married and ascended the throne. Ever changing scenes all around made him aware of the transient nature of life. He renounced the world and became a sky-clad ascetic to pursue his spiritual goal. After the formal two-day fast seeking alms he came to Cakrapura and was served food by King Aparājita. He then commenced harsh austerities and in due course attained omniscience. After establishing the religious order he wandered around spreading his spiritual message. In the end he attained nirvana at Sammeda Sikhara. His symbol was fish. His attending deities were Kuber Yaksa and Jayā Yakşiņi. Subhauma Cakravartī was his contemporary. In Jain works the story of Parasurama is closely linked with Subhauma Cakravarti. Parasurāma occupies a place of importance in the Hindu scriptures as well. In spite of being a hermit, he is credited with sweeping the earth clean of Kșatriyas (the martial race) seventeen times through his determination, bravery and divine powers. According to the Jain scriptures, in the end Subhauma dedicated Paraśurāma and became the eighth Cakravarti after this victory. This is an important historical incident that provides historical basis to the period of Ara Nātha. The period of Nandişeņa Balabhadra, Puņdarīka Nārāyaṇa, and Nisumbha Pratinārāyana falls within the period of influence of Bhagavāna Ara Nätha. They were the sixth Nārāyaṇa and Pratinārāyaṇa. BHAGAVĀNA MALLI NĀTHA -- He was born to queen Prabhāvatī, the wife of King Kumbha (belonging to the of Ikşvāku family and Kāśyapa gotra) of Mithilā city. When he grew to be a youth his father wanted him to marry but prince Malli was absolutely detached. He renounced all sinful activities and possessions and became a sky-clad ascetic to pursue his spiritual goal. After the formal two-day fast, seeking alms he came to Mithilā city and was served food by King 207 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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