Studies in Jain Literature

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

Page 25

CHARACTER OF JAIN MYTHOLOGY
They rule for a very long time over the country-enjoying pleasures in the company of women and the glory due to an Emperor. What is extraordinary about them is their possession of 14 'ratnas' and 9 'nidhis? The ratnas or gems are : 1. Cakra (disc), 2. Danda (a staff), 3. Khadga (sword), 4. Chatra (Parasol) 5. Carma (Marvellous hide), 6. Mani (jewel), 7. Käkini and 8. Senāpati, 9. Grhapati, 10. Vārdhakī, 11. Purohita, 12. Gaja (Elephant) 13. Aśva (Horse) and 14. Strī (woman). The 'nidhis', which they possess, are, according to some, a work treating of nine lores while according to others, treasures kept in Caskets. Their names are : 1. Naisarpa (mansion), 2. Panduka (food-grains), 3. Pingalaka (ornaments), 4. Sarvārathaka (14 jewels), 5. Mahāpadma (other jewels), 6. Kāla (astrology), 7. Mahākāla (mines of metals and gems). 8. Mānavaka (the art of war) and 9. Sankha (Poetry, dramatic sciences and music). We do not get an exact idea about the nature of 9 'nidhis'.
The names of the twelve Cakravartins are :
1. Bharata, 2. Sagara, 3. Maghavan, 4. Sanatkumāra, 5. Śāntinātha, 6. Kunthunātha, 7. Ara(ha)nātha, 8. Subhauma, 9. Padmanābha, 10. Harisena, 11. Jayasena and 12. Brahmadatta.
Of these, the names of Bharata, Sagara, Maghavan and Brahmadatta are celebrated in Hindu Epics and Purānas.
The 9 Baladevas, 9 Väsudevas and 9 Prativāsudevas : Baladeva, Vasudeva and Prativāsudeva are great heroes, born as contemporaries. Baladeva and Vāsudeva are step-brothers and Prativasudeva is antagonistic to complexion of Baladeva is white and he wears blue garment. His banner is emblazoned with a palm-tree. He possesses four Āyudhas : 1. Dhanus (Bow), 2. Gadā (Mace), 3. Musala (Pestle) and, 4. Hala (Plough). According to Digambara tradition he has all these except the first for which they substitute “Ratnamālā'. His birth is indicated by four dreams which his mother sees.
Väsudeva, also called Närāyana or Visnu, is the younger step-brother of Baladeva. He plays a very active role in the narrative and may be looked upon as the hero of the story. It is he who finally kills the Prativāsudeva. He is rather hot-tempered whereas his elder step-brother is very pious and gentle by nature. His is a dark complexion and he wears a yellow garment. He bears on his chest the sign of Srivatsa. He possesses a white parasol and chowries and his banner is marked with the figure of 'eagle'. He possesses seven Āyudhas : 1. a Pāñcajanya conch, 2. Sudarśana (Disc), 3. Kaumodaki-mace, 4. Sārnga bow, 5. Nandaka sword, 6. Vanamālā, a garland of wild flowers and, 7. Kaustubha jewel. According to the Digambara tradition he possesses all the seven except the