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Rishibhashit : A Study
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6. VALKALCHIRI
The sixth chapter of Rishibhashit92 contains the preachings of Valkalchiri. Besides Rishibhashit mention of Valkalchiri is also available in Aupapatik93, Bhagvatis utra94 Avashyak-churn 95 and Rishimanda/96. The story of Valkalchiri is a famous story in Jain tradition and is available in Avashyak-churni and Rishimandal Vritti. According to Avashyak-churni this story is also mentioned in Vasudev-hindi97.
According to the story available in Avashyak-churni and other works, Valkalchiri was son of King Soma Chandra and brother of Prasanna Chandra of Potanpur. Being the brother of Prasanna Chandra Rajrishi, it is obvious that he was a contemporary of Mahavir. The story of Prasanna Chandra Rajrishi is a popular story in Jain tradition; Avashyakchurni carries this story also. All these sources convey that his father indulged in Dishaproshak ascetic practices. The Dishaproshak ascetics have also been mentioned in other Jain works like Aupapapatik.
As Valkalchiri was brought up by his father in jungle, he was incapable of discriminating between man and woman, horse and deer etc.
educated while looking after the meditational aids of his father.
From the preachings of Valkalchiri in Rishibhashit it appears that he was particularly apathetic towards women. Emphasis on practice of celibacy forms the base of his teachings. He says, "O! man do not become your own enemy by getting infatuated with woman, fight lust as far as possible, because you will attain as much calmness as distant you are from women."
From these details it is evident that Valkalchiri was a sage who specially emphasized on practice of celibacy. The adjective 'Bhagwan' preceding his name, in Jain tradition, confirms his importance. The name Valkalchiri indicates the fact that he must be wearing dress made of Valkal (skin of tree).
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Besides Jain tradition we find mentions of Valkalchiri in Buddhist98 tradition also. There he is mentioned as Valkalither, and a Brahman scholar of three Vedas from Shravasti city. According to details available in Pali literature, he was inducted in Buddhism but later expelled from the monk organisation. There are mentions of his meditation on Gridhakoot hills. Buddha is said to have praised his devotion. There is no mention of him available in the Vedic tradition. Although the Buddhist tradition has tried to own him, in my opinion he must have been a sage of the Tapas tradition.
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