Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Kapila as disciple which is the sixth part of chapter I of the English translation of the Mahavira-caritra, contained within the 鈥淭rishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra鈥�: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Mahavira in jainism is the twenty-fourth Tirthankara (Jina) and one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Part 6: Kapila as disciple
One day, a well-born youth, Kapila, met him. He informed Kapila, who was seeking dharma, about the religion of the Arhats. 鈥淲hy do you not practice it yourself?鈥� Kapila asked him. Mar墨ci replied, 鈥淚 am not able to practice that dharma.鈥�
Kapila enquired, 鈥淚s not dharma found on your path?鈥� Knowing that he was weak in the religion of the Jina and desiring a disciple, he told him,
鈥淒harma is found both on the path of the Jina and on my path.鈥�
Then Kapila became his disciple. From the teaching of false dharma Mar墨ci acquired a crore of crores of 蝉腻驳补谤补蝉[1] in worldly existence.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Abdhi=s膩gara=s膩garopama = 10 crores of crores of palyopamas. K., p. 339.