Studies in Jain Literature

Author(s): V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

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4. THE SIXTYTHREE GREAT FIGURES OF JAIN MYTHOLOGY
Sixtythree salākāpuruṣas: As, already remarked it is mainly the lives of the sixtythree excellent men (salākāpuruṣas) that form the subjectmatter of Jain mythology. These prominent personages are classified into five groups: (i) 24 Tīrthakaras, (ii) 12 Cakravartins-sovereign rulers of the world, (iii) 9 Baladevas, (iv) 9 Vasudevas and (v) 9 Prativasudevas.
STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE
Now let us first give a clear idea as to what these words signify. The word śalākāpuruṣa is taken to mean by all as 'Pravarapurusa', 'Uttamapuruṣa' or 'mahāpuruṣa" i.e., great or eminent or prominent personages. But how the word came to be equated with mahāpuruṣa is not properly explained by any writer. The commentary on Abhidhānacintāmaṇi III. 364 explains thus: 'salākāpuruṣāḥ puruşeşu jātarekha ityarthāḥ', meaning thereby probably-"Those who are marked, characterised, distinguished (by 'mukti') from amongst the people at large". Śalākā means, 'a small bamboo stick' which a Buddhist monk used as an identity badge. Śalākāpuruşa would probably mean "legitimised, characterised men" so that salākāpuruṣa and lakṣaṇapuruşa are synonymous. Abhidhanarajendra, however, explains the term differently. The interpretation of the word as 'Men characterised by mukti-liberation' seems to be more correct. Another meaning may be suggested here. In ancient days lines were drawn for counting 'number'. So salākāpuruṣas were those distinguished men whose number would be counted by drawing lines.
The word Tirthakara or Tirthamkara means 'saviour', 'spiritual guide', 'one who shows the way to cross the ocean of worldly existence', or to follow tradition, one who establishes the four-fold order of the Jains consisting of (i) 'Sadhu', (ii) Sādhvī, (iii) Śrāvaka and (iv) Śrāvikā. The two words, viz. Jina and Arhat are often used as synonyms of Tirthakara. Jina means "one who subduing love or hatred towards samsara, has been liberated" and Arhat--one who deserves to be honoured and worshippd (by even Indra and other gods etc.). Tirthakaras are the prophets of Jainism, they promulgate dharma and by their precept and example help their followers to attain mukti.
The word cakravartin or cakrin means 'one who rules over the six Khandas of Bharatavarṣa'. He possesses a wondours cakra (disc) whereby he is called a 'cakrin'. Dr. Ghatage gives the explanatory gloss as :
"The classical Indian idea of a Cakravartin is that of a universal monarch, a paramount ruler. Vedic literature knows the word Sam-rāt but Cakravartin comes into vogue only in the later parts of the epics. In the popular literature such rulers are also assigned to the Vidyadharas, semi-divine beings,