Life of Mahavira (Trisastisalakapurusacaritra)

Summary

The "Trisastisalakapurusacaritra," authored by Hemacandracarya in the 12th century A.D., is a monumental work comprising ten Parvas chronicling the lives of sixty-three great personages. The attached text focuses on Parva X, which centers on the past lives of Mahavira, providing a detailed narrative distinct from but comparable to the Uttara Purana version. Key narratives include the story of Nayasara, a virtuous village overseer from Jayanti in Mahavapra, who showed hospitality to sadhus and embraced right-belief (samyaktva) after receiving their teachings. The text then traces the soul of Nayasara reborn as Marici in the warrior caste, who adopted a modified form of mendicancy, differing from austere ascetics in dress and practice due to his inability to bear rigorous austerities. Marici's engagement with Dharma, his interactions with Cakrin Bharata, and his evolution into significant Jain archetypes (last Tirthakrit Vira, first Vasudeva Tripristha, and Cakrin Priyamitra) are elaborated. The narrative extends through subsequent incarnations of these souls, including Visvabhuti�born to royal lineage�his ascetic vows, conflicts with rivals, and eventual divine status after death. The text also relates the tale of King Ripupratisatru of Potana and his family, including his daughter Mrigavati and son Acala (Balabhadra), touching on themes of karmic justice and regal power. Priyamitra�s extensive conquests, spiritual achievements, and adherence to Jain principles encapsulate the role of cakravartins in Jain lore, signaling the subjugation of natural and divine realms through dharma and austerity. The text highlights the interplay of karma, reincarnation, asceticism, and divine ordination, exemplified by the lives of Acala, Tripristha, and others. Significant emphasis is placed on Muni Nandana�s rigorous asceticism, his confession of faults, universal forgiveness, and ultimate liberation, illustrating the ideal Jain path in theory and practice. The celestial ascendance and ceremonial homage to the Tirthankaras, Arhats, and Siddhas conclude the account, emphasizing the eternal splendor of the enlightened and their bodily renunciation as the ultimate goal. The text stresses adherence to Jain dharma as the sole refuge from worldly afflictions such as disease, birth, old age, and death, and promotes detachment from transient worldly bonds. This Parva serves both as a devotional narrative and doctrinal exposition, offering historical, spiritual, and ethical insights fundamental to Jain studies and comparative religion. For a comprehensive study, the full translation by Helen M. Jhonson at the Oriental Institute, Baroda, is recommended.