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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
INTRODUCTION
Kalpasútra or the Paryusana Kalpasūtra is a work of great importance and antiquity. It consists of three parts, namely the Jinacarita, the Sthaviravali and the Samācāri. The first gives a traditional account of the lives of the first and the last three of the 24 Tirthamkaras in a reverse order. Thus we first get the life of Mahavira, and then of Parsva, Aristanemi and Ṛşabhadeva in succession. Between the life of Aristanemi and that of Rsabhadeva, there is merely a mention of the remaining Tirthamkaras and the period which elapsed since the passing away of each of them. Even the account that is given in connection with the four above mentioned Arhats, does not aim at supplying fall details of their life, but has a distinct purpose of memorising the five great auspicious events the Panca Kalyāṇakani of their life. At the beginning of every account, these five auspicious events are briefly mentioned and this leaves no doubt as to the real purpose in the mind of the author. Evidently the narration of the five events was intended to be a part of the ceremonial rites connected with the worship of the Jinas, which had to be performed on the day of the Paryusana Parvan. The second part, called the Sthaviravall has also the same i. e. a liturgical purpose.
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