Jain Journal 1973 01

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

Page 55

146
flood, but the earth became pregnant with many varieties of crops, trees, creepers, shrubs, birds, deer, etc. The people were wonder struck and immediately went to Nabhi for knowing the significance of all these changes". Nabhi explained to them that Bhogabhumi was dead and Karmabhumi had born and henceforth they were to work hard to earn their livelihoods. He pointed out to them that the rise of clouds and rain had made the earth rich with varieties of crops for their consumption so they need not bewail the want of Kalpavṛksas. He Invented also fire, the arts of cooking food and weaving cloths for their benefit1o.
Thus the Kulakaras who brought this Age to progress and development in the primitive tribal society taught their people during their respective periods gradually the ways and means for defence from the attack of Nature and ferocious animals. They fixed up the limitation of individual ownership of land and trees. Having tamed and reared wild animals, such as, elephants, etc. they taught their people to bring those animals to the service of communication. They instructed them how to bring up children and to christen their names. They educated their people how to protect themselves from cold, snow, etc. They trained them also to cross the river with boats, to climb up the hill by making steps, to protect themselves from rain by holding some covering over their heads, and lastly they taught them the art of raising crops, by cultivation of land, after which there came into existence commerce and trade, crafts and industries, all arts and industrial professions. Due to these arts and crafts, etc., this earth came to be called Karmabhumi (land of action).
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"vavagaya bhogabhmi bhavabhuruha siri narvai ramasahi jaya vivihadhannadumavelligummapasahuna Nabhi"; "datta-tam pekkhivi janavau samcaliu man melleppinu jhatti tahim", Prakrit Mahapurana.
"kammabhumi bhuruha samjaya, etc.", Prakrit Mahapurana, S.II, 14, p. 30.
9 "kalpavrksocitam sthanam, tanyadhyasisata sphutam", Sanskrit Mahapurana 4.184, p. 62.
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JAIN JOURNAL
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"datta-kanakamdana sihisamdhukkanaim payanavihanaim bhaviyam kappasasuttapariyaddanaim padaparimmaim daviyaim 44"
-Prakrit Mahapurana, S.II, 14, p. 30.
It is to be noted here that in the Avasyaka-curni, Pt. I, pp. 155-6, it is stated that Rsabhadeva, the son of Nabhi, employed fire which was generated by the mutual rubbing of dry woods for cooking food and other purposes; next he invented first pottery, then the art of clothing, etc., during his father's time.