The Lives of the Jain Elders
The Lives of the Jain Elders is the standard synthesis of source material for the early history of Jainism by the great twelfth-century Jain scholar-monk, Hemacandra, also a key figure in the wider context of Sanskrit literature. An epic poem written in an allusive and ornamental style, itrelates the pupillary succession of the early monastic Jain community, their teaching and the legendary spread of their influence, the ascetisicism of the Elders, and their eventual liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. Abounding in memorable characters, and providing a rich compendium ofIndian folk-tale, The Lives of the Jain Elders offers fascinating insight into the social life of medieval India. This new translation makes the complete work available for the first time in a European language and is complemented by a full introduction illuminating Jain belief and history.
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Contents
CANTO ONE
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3 |
CANTO TWO
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38 |
CANTO THREE
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90 |
CANTO FOUR III
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111 |
CANTO SIX
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125 |
CANTO SEVEN
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144 |
CANTO EIGHT
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155 |
CANTO NINE
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189 |
CANTO TEN
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198 |
CANTO TWELVE
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215 |
CANTO THIRTEEN
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243 |
The Jain Universe
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258 |
Explanatory Notes
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264 |
274 | |
Common terms and phrases
Āryarakṣita ascetic asceticism asked Aśoka auspicious became become a Jain become a monk Bhadrabahu Bharata Bhavadatta Bhavadeva Bindusara birth bowed Brahmin brother Caṇakya Candragupta Canto child Collections of Teachings death Devadatta Dhanagiri Dhāriņī elephant father feet festival flowers Fordmakers gave goddess gods hands heaven Hemacandra holy honourable husband Jain Elders Jain layman Jain monk Jain religion Jainism Jambū Jina Jinadāsa Kalpaka karma king's kingdom Kuberadatta laypeople learned lived looked Lord Vajra lotus Magadha magic Mahagiri Mahāvīra married Maurya meditation minister monkey moon mother named night ocean Original Collections parents performed pleasures Potana Prabhava Prakrit Prasannacandra preaching prosperity pupils recited religious replied respects returned Reverend sir Rose-apple Tree Island Rṣabhadatta Śakra Samprati Sanskrit Śayyambhava Śiva Somacandra soul Śreņika Śrīyaka Sthulabhadra story Subandhu Sudharman Suhastin Teacher thought told Tree Island Udayin Vajra Valkalacīrin Vararuci Vedas Vidyunmālin village wandered wife Worthy Yakṣa young