Jain Journal 1973 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 52

JANUARY, 1973
"The Latin word, gens which Morgan employs as a general designation for this body of consanguinei, is, like its Greek equivalent, genos, derived from the common Aryan root gan (in German, where the Aryan "G" is, according to rule, replaced by "K", it is kan), which means to beget. Gens, genos, the Sanskrit janas, the Gothic kuni (in accordance with the above mentioned rule), the ancient Nordic and Anglo-Saxon kyn, the English kin, the Middle High German kunne, all equally signify kinship, descent. However, gens in the Latin and genos in the Greek are specially used for those bodies of consanguinei which boast a common descent (in this case from a common male ancestor) and which, through certain social and religious institutions, are linked together into special community, whose origin and nature had hitherto, nevertheless, remained obscure to all our historians."3
The Prakrit word 'kula' as employed in the Jaina Agamas, also signifies the same meaning of a common descent from a common male ancestor like the Greek geno's and the Roman gens, etc.
143
Fourteen Kulakaras, according to the Digambara Jaina tradition, presided successively over their respective Kulas in different periods. They are as follows: (1) Pratisruti,. (2) Sanmati, (3) Ksemankara, (4) Ksemandhara, (5) Simankara, (6) Simandhara, (7) Vimalavahana,
3 Ibid., p. 84.
4 According to the Svetambara Jaina Agamas, there are seven or ten or fifteen Kulakaras, while the Padmacarita mentions fourteen Kulakaras, viz., 1. Sumai, 2. Padissui, 3. Simankara, 4. Simandhara, 5. Khemankara, 6. Khemamdhara, 7. Vimalavahana, 8. Cakkhumam, 9. Jasamam, 10. Abhicandra, 11. Camdabha, 12. Pasenai, 13. Marudeva and 14. Nabhi. See Jambuddiva-pannati, 2. 28 for 15 Kulakaras. In the Jambudvipa-prajnapti there are stated to be 15 Kulakaras including Rsabha while the Sthananga, the Samavayanga and the Avasyaka Niryukti, etc., mention only seven, viz., 1. Vimalavahana, 2. Caksusman, 3. Yasasvi, 4. Abhicandra, 5. Prasenai, 6. Marudeva and 7. Nabhi. "Jambuddive Bharahevase imise osappinie satta Kulagara hottha, tamjaha-padhamittha Vimalavahana 1, Cakkhuma 2, Yasamam 3, cauttham Abhicamde 4, tatto Pasenai 5, puna Marudeve 6, Ceva Nabhi 7", vide Jambudvipa-prajnapti, p. 132; "iha tu Sri Rsabhadevasamyuktah pancadasa bhanitah", Jambudvipa-prajnapti, 2.28. Among them also Candrabha is stated to be placed in between Abhicandra and Prasenajit. If so, how is the mutual agreement among different numbers correct? The answer is that there are two classes of Kulakaras-one appointed in the duties of Kulakara and the other independent. Vimalavhana, etc. are niyuktas (employees) who are mentioned in the Sthananga here, having done the duties of Kulakara, they have become Kulakaras, Jambudvipa-prajnapti, pp. 2.28, foot note No. 1, p. 132