Risabha Deva

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 20

RISABHA DEVA
In the lower heavens both the sexes are represented; though the deva-ladies do not conceive or give birth to children. They form companionate marriages, and spend their time in ease and happiness. The little food that is needed is obtained from certain kinds of trees, that do not need to be grown or looked after.
Mahābala had many companionate wives, in the second heaven. But his favourite devangna (queen) was the beautirul Svayam Prabhā, who was passionately devoted to him. She was a very lovely lady. The two were almost always together and found much joy in each other's company. Together they would resort to the celestial pleasances, and roam about, hand in hand over hill and dale, inhaling the beauty of nature, the beauty which the mortal eye has not seen nor the mortal ear heard of. Together, too, they would go to worship the God Arhant Deva (Tırthamkara) in the Celestial Fanes. In this way they spent the incalculably long time of the deva-life enjoying each other's company, and linkirg up unwittingly und automatically, their future destinies !
4. Bajrajangha In the East Videha of the Jambu Dvipa, there is a country known ar Puskaiāvati. Utpalak hetaka and Pundarikini are two important kingdoms in it. Emperor Bajradanta reigned in the last-named kingdom; his sister's husband, Bajrabāhu, was the king of the other. On the termination of the deva