general knowledge
63 Shalaka Purush (English)
63 Shalaka Purush
In the Jain tradition there are
sixty three highly endowed
people who are known as
Shalaka Purush or great men.
These are the souls that are
bhavyaas and are born in every Kalpa-
1/2 cycle of time (avisarpini and utsarpini)
and attain Moksha either in the same birth
or with in one or two births.
They are 24 Tirthankars,+ 12 Chakravaritis, +9 Baldevs, +9 Vasudevs,+ 9 Prativasudevs.
A study of these worthy
beings enables
one to understand,
absorb and assimilate
Jain teachings in one’s life.
Baladevas, Vasudevas and the Prativasudevas are three heroes
who appear always simultaneously,
and that too on the
whole nine times
in a world-period.
Baladeva and Vasudeva
are half-brothers,
sons of a king from
different wives,
the Prativasudeva
is their antagonist.
24 Tirthankaras
In Jainism, a Tirthankar:
“Fordmaker or Propagator”;
also Tirthankara or Jina)
is a human being who achieves
enlightenment (perfect knowledge)
through asceticism and who then
becomes a role-model teacher
for those seeking spiritual guidance.
A Tirthankar is a special sort arihant,
who establishes the fourfold religious
order consisting of monks, nuns,
laymen and laywomen after
achieving omniscience.
After achieving enlightenment,
a Tirthankar shows others
the path to enlightenment.
At the end of his human life- span,
a Tirthankar achieves liberation
(‘moksh’ or nirvan”), ending the cycle
of infinite births and deaths.
Jains believe that exactly twenty four
Tirthankars are born in each half cycle
of time in this part of the universe.
As Tirthankars direct
us to enlightenment,
their statues are worshipped
in Jain temples
by Jains aspiring to
achieve enlightenment.
Tirthankars are not God or gods.
Jainism does not believe
in the existence of God
in the sense of a creator,
but in gods as beings,
superior to humans but,
nevertheless, not fully enlightened.
Twenty-one of the Tirthakaras
are said to have attained Moksha
in the Kayotsarga
(standing meditation)
posture; Rishabha, Nemi;
and Mahavira on the padmasana
(lotus throne poisture).
The 24 Tirthankaras who
achieved liberation
(‘moksha or nirvana”),
ending the cycle of infinite
births and deaths,
are considered to be the
creator of Jain religion.
They are divine elements of Jainism.
They have attained all the
achievement of ultimate nature
including the ultimate knowledge
after making vigirous efforts.
1.Shri Aadinath Bhagwan
2.Shri Ajitnath Bhagwan
3.Shri Sambhavnath Bhagwan
4.Shri Abhinandan Swami
5.Shri Sumtinath Bhagwan
6.Shri Padmaprabh Swami
7. Shri Suparshwanath Bhagwan
8.Shri ChandraPrabh Swami
9.Shri Suvidhinath Bhagwan
10.Shri Shitalnath Bhagwan
11.Shri Shreyansnath Bhagwan
12.Shri Vasupujya Swami
13.Shri Vimalnath Bhagwan
14.Shri Anantnath Bhagwan
15.Shri Dharmanath Bhagwan
16.Shri Shantinath Bhagwan
17.Shri Kunthunath Bhagwan
18.Shri Arnath Bhagwan
19.Shri Mallinath Bhagwan
20.Shri Munisuvrat Swami
21.Shri Naminath Bhagwan
22.Shri Neminath Bhagwan
23.Shri Parshwanth Bhagwan
24.Shri Mahavir Swami
12 Chakravarti
Chakravartis are emperors who rule
over a part of the world (Bharata- and having six parts).
Their life is embellished with similar features like those of the Tirthankaras.
Every Chakarvartl obtains his high rank on account of good actions done in earlier existences and on account of a Nidana, ie. a wish which is passionately cherished in an earlier life.
He is born in the royal family of Iksvaku, grows in comp and glory and is experienced in all arts and sciences.
Having beauty and powe, being brave and clever,
he is embellished with 36 insignias of mind and body.
After vanquishing all the opponents in battle,
he conquers the world;
served and praised by gods and genii,
he is anointed emperor.
He rules for a long period and powerfully, enjoying all the pleasures with his many wives and treasures which the earth can offer.
The end of the life of Chakravartls is very different. Whereas some renounce the world or even become Tirthankaras (like the 16th. 17th and 18th Chakravartis of this world-period) and get redemption, others come to theaven of gods after their death, and some others fall into hell on account of their bad actions.
Chakravartis or their success not only to their capability and power and the support they get from their supermundane beings, but also, above all, the wonderful “gems” (Ratnas) and precious “treasures” (Nidhi) which are in their possession.
01 SHREE BHARAT CHAKRAVARTI
02 SHREE SAGAR CHAKRAVARTI
03 SHREE MADHAV CHAKRAVARTI
04 SHREE SANATKUMAR CHAKRAVARTI
05 SHREE SHANTINATH CHAKRAVARTI
06 SHREE KUNTHUNATH CHAKRAVARTI
