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APPENDIX 12
THE SIXTY THREE GREAT MEN
In the Jain tradition there are sixty-three highly endowed persons who are known as Shalaka Purush or great men. They are
24 Tirthankars, 12 Chakravartis, 9 Baldevs, 9 Vasudevs, and 9 Prativasudevs. Brief descriptions of these great men are as
follows-
Chakravarti - The highest monarch in the human world is known as Chakravarti. He reigns over one specific section of any
of the three worlds known as Bharat, Airavat, or Mahavideh. The number of countries under his reign is 32,000. He has
32,000 subordinate kings and 25,000 gods in his attendance. He is the owner of nine types of wealth and fourteen types of
gems. He has 64,000 queens,
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20,000 mines
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each of gold and silver and
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16,000 mines of gems.
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His army comprises 8.4
million each of elephants, horses and chariots; 960 million-foot soldiers; 9.9 million personal guards; and 16,000 ministers.
He has the combined power of 4 million octopeds (mythical creature). The minimum and maximum number of Chakravartis
in all dimensions inhabited by humans is 20 and 150.
The names of twelve Chakravartis of Bharat area during the current descending cycle are-1. Bharat, 2. Sagar, 3. Maghava, 4.
Sanat Kumar, 5. Shantinath, 6. Kunthunath, 7. Arnath, 8. Subhum, 9. Padma, 10. Harishen, 11. Jaisen, 12. Brahmadatta.
Baldev - He is elder brother of a Vasudev and has extreme attachment with his younger brother. A Baldev’s mother sees four
great dreams. He has the strength of a million octopeds. Four thousand gods are in his attendance. His weapons, including
mace and plough are blessed by a thousand gods each. Because of their mutual affection Baldev and Vasudev rule joint.
After the death of the Vasudev, Baldev becomes an ascetic and indulges in spiritual practices. Some of them are liberated
and others are reincarnated in dimensions of gods.
Vasudev - A Vasudev in his earlier births sheds some specific Karma and determines to acquire this status. His soul then
incarnates either in the heaven or the hell and then is born as Vasudev. At the time of his conception his mother sees seven
great dreams. His complexion is dark. He has the strength equivalent to 2 million octopeds and he conquers three continents
by killing the Prativasudev. He has 16,000 kingdoms and kings under his subjugation and 8,000 gods in his attendance. He
has 16,000 queens and seven gems.
Prativasudev - They also determine their status in there earlier births and are monarchs of three continents. Their powers
are slightly lower than that of the Vasudevs. They are necessarily killed by the Vasudevs and go to hell.
The maximum and minimum numbers of Baldev, Vasudev, and Prativasudev are 108 and 20. It is believed that as Tirthankar
does not meet another Tirthankar, a Chakravarti and a Vasudev also do not meet another Chakravarti and Vasudev respectively.
Also a Vasudev does not meet a Chakravarti.
(Trishashtishalaka Purush Charitra)
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The names of nine Vasudevs, Baldevs, and Prativasudevs of Bharat area during the present descending cycle are as follows-
S. No. Baldev Vasudev Prativasudev Tirthankar period
1. Vijay Triprishtha Ashvagriv Contemporary to Shreyans
2. Achal Dwiprishtha Tarak Contemporary to Vasupujya
3. Saudharm Svayambhu Merak Contemporary to Vimalnath
4. Suprabh Purushottam Madhukaitabh Contemporary to Anantnath
5. Sudarshan Purushasimha Nishumbh Contemporary to Dharmnath
6. Nandi Purushpundarik Bali Between Arnath and Mallinath
7. Nandimitra Datta Prahlad Between Arnath and Mallinath
8. Ram Narayan (Laxman) Ravan Between Munisuvrat and Naminath
9. Balbhadra Krishna Jarasandh Contemporary to Neminath
(Balram)
APPENDIX 13
THE PHYSICAL POWER OF A TIRTHANKAR: A MYTHICAL COMPILATION
A Tirthankar is the exposition of all dormant powers in a being. He is infinitely powerful. In the mythological literature of Jains,
this power has been calculated as follows-
Amar Muni - Tirthankar Charitra - Surana # 59
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