________________
INTRODUCTION.
It is important to remember that during the First Previous Bhava, the soul of Ŝramana Bhagavan Mahavira, as Nayasāra had acquired Samayakta (Right Belief) soon after his coming in contact with the Jaina Sadhūs who had lost their way in the forest in which he was supervising the work of preparing timber for his king's use.
During the Second Bhava, he was a god in Saudharma déva-lola
During his Third Previous Bhava, the soul of Sramana Bhagavān Mabăvira as Marici Muni becomes slack in ascetic life after taking Bhāgavati Dikṣā, and over-powered by Mithyätva Mohaniya Karma, he had to be born in low families during his future existences as a human being, up to his fifteenth previous bhava as will be seen from the Table given below. Bhava. Third Son of Bharata Cakravartla. Fourth As a god in Brahma déva-loka. Fifth
As a Brāhmana named Kausika in Kollaka village. Sixth
As a Brāhmana aamed Puspamitra. Seventb
As a god in Saudharma deva-loka. Eighth As a Brāhmaga named Agaidyota in Caity Sannivesa Ninth As a god in Isána déya-loka. Tenth As a Brahmapa named Agnibhūti la Mandira village. Eleventh As a god in Sanat Kumāra déva-loka. Twelvth As a Brāhmaga named Bharadvaja in Svetambikā. Thirteenth As a god in Mahendra déva-loke. Fourteenth As a Brāhmaga named Thāvara at Raja-griba
Nagara, Fifteenth Ag . Magnificent god la Brahma déva-loka.
Descending from Brahma déva-loke, the soul of Marici Muni was born during the Sixteenth Previous Bbava of Sramaga Bhagavån Mahävara as Visvabhūti Kunara in the family of King
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
