________________
9
Predictions of Tirthankara Mahavira
Venerable Mahavira arrived at Pava from the city of Rajagruha on foot for his last fourmonths-stay-in-rainy-season (chaturmas). What he predicted about Jain religion and the world at that time has traditionally come down to us. One version of it is available in Acharya Jinaprabhasuri's Vividha-tirthakalpa while another version is found in Acharya Hemachandra's Trishashtishalakapurushacharita and Deepmalika.
Acharya Jinaprabhasuri recorded in Vividhatirthakalpa that once Gautama, the chief of the principal disciples of Tirthankara Mahavira, politely asked Mahavira the question as to what important events would take place after the latter's death.
In answer to that question, Tirthankara Mahavira said, "After three years and eight months from my death there will set in the fifth division called Dusama of the present half Time-cycle. After twelve years from my death Gautama will attain
148
Predictions of Tirthankara Mahavira
liberation (moksha-siddhagati). After twenty years from my death Sudharma will attain liberation and after sixty four years from my death the last omniscient Jambu will attain liberation. From the day of Jambu's attainment of liberation, the following twelve things will disappear from India (Bharat) : perception of thought-forms of other's mind, highest type of clairvoyance, supernatural power called pulaka, subtle body called aharaka, spiritual evolution by destruction of karmas, monastic conduct modeled on the conduct of Jain Mahavira, right conduct dominated by certain special types of austerity, right conduct free from all types of passions except an extremely small amount of greed, right conduct completely free from all passions, pure knowledge (omniscience) and liberation." "After my death there will flourish 2004 epoch-maker acharyas in my Jain tradition. Of them, the first will be Arya Sudharma and the last will be Duhprasaha. Duhprasaha will flourish in the end-part of the fifth division of the present half Time-cycle."
"After 170 years from my death, there will occur the death of Acharya Bhadrabahu. And after his death, the following four things will disappear from India (Bharat) : symmetrical bodyshape called samachaturasra-samsthana, supremely strong bonejoint called vajrarushabhanaracha, samhanana, meditation-type called mahaprana-dhyana and the last four purva works (books)."
"After 500 years from my death and in the days of Acharya Vraja the tenth purva work and the first four types of bone-joint will become extinct."
"After my death Palaka will rule for 60 years, (nine) Nanda kings for 108 years, Pushyamitra for 30 years, Balamitra and
149
