63 Shalaka Purush (Heroes or Great Persons)
By Mr. Pravin K. Shah
Jain Study Center of North Carolin
The tradition states that time is infinite and follows repetitive cycles of ascents and descents. During the phase of ascent there is a gradual increase of truth and goodness, and during the period of descent there is a decrease of happiness and righteousness.
It is held that at each ascent and descent cycle, sixty-three shalaka purush (great heroes) are borned of whom there are twenty-four Tirthankaras.
Sixty-three Great Persons (Shalaka Purushas)
24 : Tirthankaras
12 : Chakra-varties
9 : Vasudevas (Narayans)
9 : Prati-Vasudevas (Prati-Narayans)
9 : Baladevas (Balabhadras)
63 Total
24 Tirthakaras : Name and Symbols
|
No. |
Name |
Symbol |
Color |
|
1 |
Shri Rushabhadev |
Ox |
Gold |
|
2 |
Shri Ajitnatha |
Elephant |
Gold |
|
3 |
Shri Sambhavanatha |
Horse |
Gold |
|
4 |
Shri Abhinandana Swami |
Monkey |
Gold |
|
5 |
Shri Sumatinatha |
Crane |
Gold |
|
6 |
Shri Padmaprabhu |
Lotus |
Red |
|
7 |
Shri Suparshvanatha |
Swastika |
Gold |
|
8 |
Shri Chandraprabhu |
Moon |
Silver |
|
9 |
Shri Suvidhinatha |
Crocodile |
Silver |
|
10 |
Shri Shitalanatha |
Shrivasta |
Gold |
|
11 |
Shri Shreyansanatha |
Rhinoceros |
Gold |
|
12 |
Shri Vasupujya Swami |
He-buffalo |
Red |
|
13 |
Shri Vimalanatha |
Boar |
Gold |
|
14 |
Shri Anantanatha |
Falcon |
Gold |
|
15 |
Shri Dharmanatha |
Thunder-Bolt |
Gold |
|
16 |
Shri Shantinatha |
Deer |
Gold |
|
17 |
Shri Kunthunatha |
He-Goat |
Gold |
|
18 |
Shri Aranatha |
Nandyavrata |
Gold |
|
19 |
Shri Mallinatha |
Pot |
Blue |
|
20 |
Shri Munisuvrata Swami |
Tortoise |
Black |
|
21 |
Shri Naminatha |
Lily |
Gold |
|
22 |
Shri Neminatha |
Conch |
Black |
|
23 |
Shri Parshvanatha |
Snake |
Blue |
|
24 |
Shri Mahavir swami |
Lion |
Gold |
The Twelve Chakra-varties are :
1. Bharata
2. Sagara
3. Meghavan
4. Sanatkumara
5. Shanti-natha
6. Kunthu-natha
7. Ara(ha)-natha
8. Subhauma
9. Padmaprabha
10. Harisena
11. Jayasena
12. Brahmadatt
The nine Vasudevas (Narayans) are :
1. Tripushta
2. Dvipushta
3. Svayambhu
4. Purushottama
5. Nara(Purusha)Simba
6. Pundarika
7. Dattadeva
8. Lakshmana
9. Krishna
The nine Prati-Vasudevas (Prati-Narayans) are :
1. Asvagriva
2. Taraka
3. Naraka
4. Nisumbha
5. Madhukaitabh
6. Prahlada
7. Bali
8. Ravana
9. Jarasandha
The nine Baladevas (Balabhadras) are :
1. Vijaya
2. Achala
3. Dharmaprabha
4. Suprabha
5. Sudarsana
6. Nandi (Ananda)
7. Nandimitra
8. Ramachandra
9. Padma
The above are the total sixty-three Shalaka-purushas.
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