Twenty lacs of Purvas after his birth, the Lord became king in this city to guard the subjects. The first king of kings, like the omkara of mantras, he guarded his subjects like his own children. The Lord appointed ministers, like the minor members of his own body, able in the punishment of the wicked and protection of the good. The King, Vrsabha-marked, established able police for guarding against theft, etc., like Sutraman Lokapalas. For the government he, the elephant of kings, collected elephants, the superior branch of the army like the best member of the body. He, Vrsabha-bannered, maintained fine horses holding their necks very high, as if in rivalry with the horses of the sun. The son of Nabhi himself built chariots made of close-fitted wood like aerial cars on earth. Then the son of Nabhi made a collection of foot-soldiers of well-tried courage, just as in a cakravartin incarnation. The son of Nabhi established in it army-commanders like very strong pillars of the palace of new sovereignty. The Lord of the World collected oxen, camels, buffaloes, mules, skilled in their use. Continue reading “Establishment of Customs” »

Independent, unstumbling like the wind, practicing various and manifold penances, persevering in manifold vows, the Blessed One wandered for a thousand years as easily as a day in Mleccha countries Yavana, Domba, etc., observing silence, making non- Aryas well-disposed to others just from the sight of him, untouched by disturbances, enduring trials. The Blessed One, Vrsabhabannered, went to Purimatala, the chief suburb of the great city Ayodhya. Continue reading “The Lord’s Kevala” »

The Master, even though indifferent, enjoyed pleasures with his wives for a long time; for good-feeling karma cannot be destroyed otherwise. When a little less than six Purvas had passed after the wedding, while the Lord enjoyed himself with them, the jivas of Bahu and Pitha fell from Sarvarthasiddhi and entered Sumangala’s womb as twins. Likewise the jivas of Subahu and Mahapitha fell from Sarvarthasiddhi and entered Sunanda’s womb. Then Lady Sumangala, like Marudeva, saw fourteen great dreams, indicating the importance of the embryo. The Mistress related the dreams to the Master, who said unhesitatingly, “Your son will be a Cakravartis.” Continue reading “Coronation as King” »

He (Kubera) made the city Vinita, also called Ayodhya, twelve yojanas long and nine wide. After laying it out, the Yaksa-king, free from deceit, filled it unceasingly with inexhaustible clothes, ornaments, money, and grain. Even without a wall (as background for painting) a painting was made in the sky from the variegated light from palaces of diamond, sapphire, and cat’s eye. In it the appearance of challenge papers, as it were, to the peaks of Meru was made by the lofty golden palaces in the guise of banners. Continue reading “Description of Vinita” »

Now, in Jambudvipa in the West Videhas, there is a city, Aparajita by name, unconquered by its enemies. In it there was a king, by whose power the world had been subdued, Isanacandra, equal to the Indra of Isana in glory. There lived a merchant, preeminent in wealth, foremost among those devoted solely to piety, by name Candanadasa, sandal for giving delight to the world. He had a son, Sagaracandra, who was the prime cause of delight to the eyes of the world like the moon to the Ocean. Always having an upright character, his actions governed by Dharma, possessing discernment, he was the face-ornament of the whole city. Continue reading “Story of Sagarcandra, Priyadarsana and Asokadatta” »

In the meantime attended by the gods living in the twenty eight lacs of palaces, aroused by the sound of the bell Mahaghosa, the Lord of the Aisanakalpa, carrying a trident, having a bull as a vehicle, seated in a car Puspaka made by the Abhiyogya Puspaka, descended on the south of Aisanakalpa by an oblique path to Mt. Ratikara in the northeast of Nandisvara and, having contracted his car like the Indra of Saudharma, quickly went before the Blessed One on Mt. Meru with devotion. Sanatkumara, surrounded by gods living in the twelve lacs of palaces, came in the car Sumanas. Continue reading “The Gods – Their Cars – Their Bells their Family – Part 1” »

Followed by kings, Kaccha, Mahakaccha and others, who had taken the vow of mendicancy after him, the Lord began to wander over the earth in silence. The Lord did not obtain alms anywhere even on the day for breaking his fast; for the people at that time were thoroughly simple and were not familiar with alms-giving. Some people brought the Master, who had come for alms, horses surpassing in speed Uccaihsravas (Indra’s horse); others brought choice elephants whose strength was superior to that of the elephants of the quarters; some brought maidens excelling the Apsarases in loveliness; others ornaments that had the brilliance of lightning; others garments of various colors like twilight clouds; still others garlands and wreaths rivaling wreaths of the coral-tree; some brought a heap of gold resembling Meru’s peak; others a pile of jewels like the peak of Mt. Rohana; for they knew the Lord only as a king as before. Continue reading “The Lord’s life as a Chadmastha” »

The Master then summoned his vassals, etc., from all quarters; and Bharata and his other sons, Bahubali, etc. The Lord addressed Bharata, “Son, take our kingdom. Now I intend to assume the sovereignty of self-restraint.” At this speech of the Master, Bharata stood for a moment with his face downcast; then bowed, his hands folded together, and spoke in a choked voice: “Even as there is happiness for me in falling before the foot-stool of your lotus-feet, so there is none for me seated on the jeweled lion-throne, O Master. Even as there is happiness for me running on foot before you, O Lord, so there is none for me mounted on the shoulder of a pleasure elephant. Continue reading “Lord Rishabhdev’s Initiation” »

Now, the sons of Kaccha and Mahakaccha, Nami and Vinami by name, men of good training, had gone previously to distant foreign countries at the Master’s command. Returning by the road through this forest, they saw their fathers, and reflected: “Why have our fathers come to such a state, as if they were without a lord, when Vrsabhanatha is their lord? Then they had garments of Chinese silk; now garments of bark suitable for Kiratas. Then there was ointment on their bodies; now dust suitable for animals. Then their hair was coiled with wreaths; now it is matted like a fig-tree. Then they rode on elephants; now they go on foot like foot-men.” Continue reading “Founding of Vidyadhara Cities” »