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Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words

This page describes Shatrughna’s former births which is the eighth part of chapter VIII of the English translation of the Jain Ramayana, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra�: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. This Jain Ramayana contains the biographies of Rama, Lakshmana, Ravana, Naminatha, Harishena-cakravartin and Jaya-cakravartin: all included in the list of 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 8: ŚٰܲԲ’s former births

ŚٰܲԲ’s ī was born in Ѳٳܰ many times. He became a Brāhman, Śī󲹰, handsome, a follower of ܲ. One day as he went along the road, he was observed by the chief-queen, named , and because of passion she had him conducted into her presence with a desire for dalliance. The king came unexpectedly, and , excited, cried out, ‘He is a thief,� and the king had the Brāhman seized. At the king’s command he was led to the execution-ground for execution; but then Muni ṇa obtained his release at his promise to take the vow. After he was released, he wandered as a mendicant, practiced penance, and went to heaven.

When he fell, he became the son of King Candrabhadra in the city Ѳٳܰ. Son of Queen ñԲ, Acala by name, he was extremely dear to Candrabhadra. His eight elder brothers, sons of co-wives, Գܱ and others, began to try to kill Acala, so he would not be king. Their plan was reported by a minister and Acala fled to another place. As he wandered in a forest, he was pierced by a very large thorn. As he went along the road he was observed by a man who lived in Ś屹ī, named ṅk, who had been expelled by his father, carrying a load of wood. ṅk put down the load of wood and removed the thorn. Delighted, he gave ṅk the thorn and said: ‘Well done, sir! When you hear that Acala is king in Ѳٳܰ, come there then. For you are the greatest of benefactors.�

Acala went to ś峾ī and there he saw King Indradatta studying archery with his teacher ṃh. He demonstrated archery to ṃh and Indradatta, and Indradatta gave him his daughter ٲٳ together with territory. He formed an army and conquered ṅg and other territories. One day he went to Ѳٳܰ and fought with his elder brothers. He captured and imprisoned his eight brothers, Գܱ, et cetera and Candrabhadra sent ministers to Acala to obtain their release. Acala told them the news about himself and when the ministers had heard it, they hastened to tell Candrabhadra. Delighted, Candrabhadra had Acala enter the city and in course of time settled him on his own throne, though he was the youngest. Somehow or other Acala kept under guard his brothers, Գܱ, et cetera, who had been banished by his father, and made them secret attendants.

One day as Acala was standing in the arena,[1] he saw ṅk being beaten by door-keepers and had him conducted into his presence. Acala gave him Ś屹ī, his native land, and the two ruled together, unique friends. One day they became mendicants under Āⲹ Samudra, died in the course of time, and became highest gods in Brahmaloka. Then Acala’s ī fell and became ŚٰܲԲ, your younger brother, and he persisted in having Ѳٳܰ because of the delusion from his former birth. Then ṅk’s ī fell and became this general of yours, Kṛtāntavadana by name, 岵󲹱.�

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Naṭaraṅga (?).

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