Jain Journal 1981 07

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

Page 19

Previous Births of Rsabhadeva
[With special reference to the Trişaşțisalākāpuruşacaritra )
MANJULA MEHTA
Rsabhadeva was the first Tirthankara of the present descending cycle of time. Acarya Hemacandra describes twelve previous births of Rsabhadeva in his Trişaşțijalākāpuruşacaritra. There is no mention of any previous birth in the canons. The canonical commentries give a brief account of some of them. The Cauppannamahāpurisacariyam deals with all the twelve previous births. The Adipurāņa depicts only nine of them.
The first previous birth of Rsabhadeva as recorded was that of merchant Dhana. He was foremost among wealthy, virtuous and renowned men. One day, he wished to go to the city of Vasantapura with much merchandise. He made a proclamation to the people throughout the city that he was going to Vasantapura, whoever wished to go, might go with him. He would cherish all of them like relatives. At the auspicious moment he went outside the city. All the people also, who were going to Vasantapura came there at the sound of the drum of departure.
Just then Acarya Dharmaghosa approached the merchant. Questioned by the merchant in regard to the reason of his coming, he explained that he was going to Vasantapura with his disciples. The merchant replied that he was fortunate to have such a great Acarya with him. He ordered his cooks to prepare food, drink etc., every day for the Acarya. The Acarya said, “Food etc. which has not been made, nor caused to be made, nor intended (for them) is suitable for ascetics, water too that has come from tanks, wells, ponds etc. is prohibited unless it is purified by some means, according to the teachings of the Jinas." Just then someone brought a dish filled with ripe mangoes. Dhana requested the Acarya to accept that fruit, but the latter refused. Dhana told the Acarya that he would see that he would get suitable food.
1 Tri., 1.1.31-225.