Chovisi & 63 Shalaka Purusha - Jain Library

Chovisi &
63 Shalaka Purusha
(314) 837-8101
July 6, 2011

Contents
01. Introduction
02. Universe -- Figure
03. Three Dimensional Universe
04. Innumerable Concentric Islands and Oceans-- Figure
05. Two & Half Islands and Fifteen Continents -- Figure
06. Jambu Island – Figure
07. Chovisi and 63 Shalaka Purusha (Bharat & Eravat Continents) -- Figure
08. Chovisi and Shalaka Purusha, Chovisi and Six Aras
09. Sixty Three Shalaka Purusha
10. Chakravarti
11. Baldeva, Vasudeva, and Prativasudeva
12. Dreams to Mother, Tirthankers and Other Kevalis, Liberation, and Great Event
13. List of Sixty Shalaka Purusha
14. List of Sixty Three Shalaka Purusha
15. Attributes of Tirthankers (Atishaya)
16. Lord Mahavir

Introduction
Dear Sadharmik:
Jai Jinendra.
Welcome to Chovisi and 63 Shalaka Purusha, a visual step-by-step presentation of the
Chovisi and 63 Shalaka Purusha.
This presentation is graphic based and is intended to serve as an important aid to the viewer.
I welcome your feedback on your experience with this presentation and suggestions
on future edition improvements.
Sincerely,
Bharat K. Shah
(314) 837-8101
E-mail bbsshah@yahoo.com
Page 1

14
13
12
11
10
9
8
RAJJU
UNIVERSE
11 12
9 10
8
7
6
5
K3
+
+ +
+ + +
+ +
+
K2
3 4
1 2
K1
Green - Celestial World (Urdhvalok)
Red - Middle World (Tirchhalok)
Black - Lower World (Adholok)
Alok
7
Alok
Alok
1
6
2
5
4
3
4
Alok
Figure 1
3
5
2
1
6
7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
RAJJU
Page 2

Three Dimensional Universe
If you throw a Bhar from the space above you, the distance it travels in 6 months, 6
days, 6 Prahar, and 6 Ghadis is called one Rajju.
Universe Height = 14 Rajju
Universe Width = 7 Rajju
Universe Volume = 343 Cubic Rajju
One Bhar = 38,112,970 * 40 pounds
One Prahar = 3 hours
One Ghadi = 24 Minutes
Lower World
The Lower world is the home of infernal beings (narki) as well as of certain Devas.
This region consists of seven tiers, each darker than the one above.
Middle World
The middle world consists of innumerable concentric islands and seas, with Jambu
island in the center.
This is the abode of humans and animals.
Celestial World
This is the abode of heavenly beings.
Siddha Sheela
This crescent-shaped region is the permanent abode of the liberated souls.
Loka and Aloka
The Jaina universe is conceived as three-dimensional structure. It is called Loka.
The empty space in which no world, atmosphere, motion, or anything else is found
is called Aloka.
Page 3

Innumerable Concentric Islands and Seas
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 …………………....
The middle world consists of innumerable concentric islands and oceans, with Jambu island
in the center. The last ocean is called Swayambhurman, beyond which Loka ends.
Page 4

Two & Half Islands and Fifteen Continents
N
Half-Puskarvara Island
W
Eravat
Eravat
Black Ocean
~
~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
Dhataki Island ~ ~ ~
~ Eravat
Eravat ~ ~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
Lavan Ocean
Jambu ~ ~~
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~
~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
Bharat ~ ~
~
~
~ ~
Eravat
Maha Videh Maha Videh Maha Videh Maha Videh Maha Videh
~ ~ ~ ~
Bharat
~ ~
Bharat
~ ~
~ ~
~
~ ~~ ~ ~ ~
Bharat
~
~
~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
Bharat
E
Human population is only in Jambu, Dhataki, and one-half of Puskarvara Islands.
Liberation of the soul is possible only in 15 continents of Bharat, Eravat, and Mahavideh.
One of each is on Jambu Island, two of each (east-west) is on Dhataki Island, and Half-
Puskarvara Island, respectively.
All together there are fifteen continents: five Bharats, five Eravats, and five Mahavidehs.
S
Page 5

Jambu Island
Eravat
Maha
Videh
Bharat
Page 6

Chovisi and 63 Shalaka Purush (Bharat and Eravat Continents)
Utsarpini
Starts
6 5 4 3 2 1
4KS 3KS . 2KS 1KS - 21,000 YRS 21,000 YRS
42,000 YRS
1 2 3 4 5 6
Avasarpini
starts
R R R R R
24 12 9 9 9 Prati Other
Tirthankers Chakravartis Baldevas Vasudevas Vasudevas People
14D 14D 3D 7D
R
R
R
R
12G-13G
Sheds four GHATI karmas.
1. Knowledge Obscuring (Jnanavaraniya) 3. Deluding (Mohaniya)
2. Perception Obscuring (Darsanavaraniya) 4. Obstructive (Antaraya)
13G
ARIHANT, KEVALI, BHAGAVAN, OMNISCIENT
TIRTHANKERS
Tirthanker nama karma is manifested.
Have 34 Atishayo.
All five Kalyanaks are celebrated.
Live many years in Kevali state.
Preach the religion.
Establish the mobile Tirth of Sadhus, Sadhavis,
Shravaks, and Shravikas.
OTHER KEVALIS
No specific nama karma is manifested.
May have 1 or 2 Atishayo.
Two or three Kalyanaks are celebrated.
May or may not live many years in Kevali state.
May preach the religion.
13G
Sheds four AGHATI karmas.
1. Life Span (Ayushya) 3. Status Determining (Gotra)
2. Body Making (Nama) 4. Feeling Producing (Vedaniya)
14G
SIDDHA, BHAGAVAN, (LORD)
KS
R
= KotaKoti Sagaropam
= Reincarnation
= Three years eight month and 15 days
before the next Ara (Nirvana days of the
1st and the last Tirthankers).
= 2,526 years have been passed in the
fifth Ara (May 2000).
Page 7

Chovisi and Salaka Purusha
In Sanskrit, Chovisi means 24, Shalaka means a pious or best person who is destined to be liberated,
and Purusha means man. Tirthaners are Shalaka Purushas. Even though they are referred
to as Shalaka Purusha, woman also can be a Shalaka Purusha. In a given time-frame, a total of
twenty-four Tirthankers one after the another are born and therefore it is called a Chovisi.
In Jainism, the time cycle is measured in KotaKoti Sagaropam.
Karod --- 10,000,000
KotaKoti --- Karod x Karod
Palyopam --- Specified in innumerable time units. However, it can be explained by
an assumed illustration:
To fill up a cubic box ( 8 miles long, wide, and deep) with the smallest
possible pieces of a new born baby's hair; one Palyopam would be equal
to time taken to empty the cubic box by taking out one piece of hair every
100 years.
Sagaropam --- 10 KotaKoti Palyopam
Chovisi --- 10 KotaKoti Sagaropam
One Time Cycle --- 20 KotaKoti Sagaropam ( two Chovisi)
Chovisi and Six Aras
The time cycle for both Bharat and Eravat is 20 KotaKoti Sagaropam.
This time cycle is divided in two equal phases called ascending phase (Utsarpini) and descending phase
(Avasarpini). Both phases are also called Chovisi because 24 Tirthankers are born in each of the phases.
The Chovisi is divided into six periods called Aras, which are unequal on time basis.
As time passes from the 1 st Ara through the 6 th Ara of the Avasarpini, the happiness, life spans, religious
faith, etc. go from the best conditions to the worst. The Utsarpini and the Avasarpini are mirror images
of each other. Therefore as the time passes from the 1 st Ara through the 6 th Ara of the Utsarpini the
happiness, life spans, religious faith, etc. go from the worst conditions to the best. When the Avasarpini
phase ends the Utsarpini phase begins. These time cycles continue forever. The chart on the next page
shows the time period of each Ara.
We are living in the Bharat continent of the Jambu Island. The current time period is the 5 th Ara of the
Avasarpini. On May 2000 two thousand five hundred and twenty-six years have been passed in the fifth
Ara.
Liberation of the soul is possible all the time in the Mahavidehs. But in Bharats and the Eravats it is only
possible in the 4 th Ara of the Avasarpini and the 3 rd Ara of the Utsarpini phase.
( Avasarpini - Descending Cycle) ( Utsarpini - Ascending Cycle)
1 st Ara = 4 KotaKoti Sagaropam 1 st Ara = 21,000 Years
2 nd Ara = 3 KotaKoti Sagaropam 2 nd Ara = 21,000 Years
3 rd Ara = 2 KotaKoti Sagaropam 3 rd Ara = 1 KotaKoti Sagaropam less 42,000 Years
4 th Ara = 1 KotaKoti Sagaropam less 42,000 Years 4 th Ara = 2 KotaKoti Sagaropam
5 th Ara = 21,000 Years 5 th Ara = 3 KotaKoti Sagaropam
6 th Ara = 21,000 Years 6 th Ara = 4 KotaKoti Sagaropam
Page 8

Sixty Three Shalaka Purushas
Sixty-three Salaka Purushas are born in the 4 th Ara of the Avasarpini and the 3 rd Ara of the Utsarpini.
They are as follows:
24 Tirthankers,
12 Chakravartis,
9 Baldevas,
9 Vasudevas, and
9 Prativasudevas.
Besides the 24 Tirthankers, other well-known Shalaka Purushas' names of the current Chovisi include:
Bharat Chakravarti (1 st Chakravarti), Shree Ram (8 th Baldeva), Lakhman (8 th Vasudeva),
Ravan (8 th Prativasudeva), and Shree Krishna (9 th Vasudeva).
Page 9

Chakravarti
Twelve Chakravartis are born in each ascending and descending time cycle in Bharat and Earvat
continents of Jambu Island, Dhataki Island, and half-Pushkarvara Island.
Chakravarti is considered the greatest and strongest king of the continent.
He is called a Chakravarti because a powerful one-sense living being called “Chakra” is born in his
kingdom to serve him. With the help of the Chakra, he conquers all six parts of the continent.
Chakravarti has seven powerful human beings and seven one-sense living beings including the
“Chakra” in his kingdom to serve him. In addition, because of his good karmas many Devas serve
him.
Bharat Chakravarti was the 1st Chakravarti of this descending time cycle of the Bharat continent of
Jambu Island. He was the son of the 1 st Tirthanker Rushabhadev of the current time cycle of the
Bharat continent of Jambu Island.
Chakravarti is considered an unbeatable king, but Bharat Chakravarti has almost lost a war against
his brother Bahubali. Instead of winning the war, Bahubali opted to renounce the worldly life on
the battleground and became a monk.
Chakravarti, who renounces the worldly life and becomes a monk, may attain liberation or is born
in heaven in his next birth.
Tirthanker’s mother dreams 14 auspicious dreams at the time of conception. Chakravarti’s mother
also dreams 14 auspicious dreams at the time of conception.
However, Chakravarti’s mother’s dreams are not as bright as Tirthanker mother’s dreams.
The followings are the twelve Chakravartis of the current descending time cycle of the Bharat
continent of Jambu Island.
Name
After death/Nirvana
1. Bharat Liberated
2. Sagar Liberated
3. Madhav Heaven
4. Sanat Kumar Heaven
5. Santinath Liberated
6. Kunthunath Liberated
7. Aarnath Liberated
8. Sambhum 7 th Hell
9 Mahapadm Liberated
10. Harishan Liberated
11. Jayshan Liberated
12. Brahmdatt 7 th Hell
6 Parts of Bharat Continent
3
2
4 5
1
6
Page 10

Vasudeva, Baldeva, and Prativasudeva
Nine Baldevas, nine Vasudevas, and nine Prativasudevas are born in each ascending and descending
time cycle in Bharat and Earvat continents of Jambu Island, Dhataki Island, and half-Pushkarvara Island.
Baldevas, Vasudevas, and Prativasudevas are born as princes.
Baldeva and Vasudeva are always born as brothers, Baldeva being the eldest brother.
Prativasudeva is always an enemy of Baldeva and Vasudeva.
Baldeva is very serene person. He doesn’t like to wage a war. He goes on the war only when all other
options don’t work. There is a high degree of attachment between Baldeva and Vasudeva.
Vasudeva is considered the strongest person of the continent. He conquers three parts (1, 2, & 6) of the continent
From the Prativasudevas.
Prativasudeva is an angry man with ego and jealousy.
Prativasudeva always wage a war against Baldeva and Vasudeva. Vasudeva kills Prativasudeva in the war.
Baldeva renounces the worldly life and becomes a monk. He may attain liberation or is born
in heaven. Vasudeva and Prativasudeva don’t renounce the worldly life therefore they have to take few more
births before they attain the ultimate liberation.
Vasudeva’s mother dreams 7 auspicious dreams at the time of conception.
Baldeva’s mother dreams 3 auspicious dreams at the time of conception.
Prativasudeva’s mother doesn’t dream any auspicious dreams at the time of conception.
Ram, Lakshman, and Ravan are the 8 th Baldeva, Vasudeva, and Prativasudeva of the current time
cycle of the Bharat continent of Jambu Island, respectively.
Balbhadra, Shree Krishna, and Jarasangh are the 9 th Baldeva, Vasudeva, and Prativasudeva of the
current time cycle of the Bharat continent of Jambu Island, respectively.
The followings are the nine Baldevas, nineVasudevas, and nine Prativasudevas of the current descending time
cycle of the Bharat continent of Jambu Island.
Baldeva Destiny Vasudeva Prativasudeva
1 Achal Liberated Tripusht (Mahavir’s soul) Sugri.
2. Vijay Liberated Dvipusht Tarak
3. Bhadra Liberated Swayambhu Merak
4. Suprabh Liberated Purushotam Madhukit
5. Sudarsan Liberated Purushsinh Nasumbh
6. Aanand Liberated Purush Pundarik Bal
7. Nandan Liberated Datt Prahlad
8. Ram Liberated Lakshman Ravan
9 Balbhadra Heaven Krishna Jarasangh
Bharat Continent
Page 11
3
2
4 5
1
6

Mother's Dreams
At the time of conception, Tirthanker's mother, Chakravarti's mother, Baldeva's mother, and Vasudeva's mother
have 14 bright dreams, 14 dim dreams, 3 very dim dreams, and 7 dimmer dreams respectively.
Prativasudeva's mother does not have any dreams.
Tirthankers and Other Kevalis
There are 14 stages of spiritual development for liberation. Theses stages are called Gunasthans.
When a person progresses towards liberation, he/she gradually progresses one by one Gunasthan.
When the person sheds four Ghati Karmas, he/she becomes omniscient and enters into the 13 th Gunasthan.
The omniscient person is called Arihant, Kevali, or Bhagavan. There are many differences between
Tirthanker Kevalis and other Kevalis. One of the main differences is that Tirthanker Kevalis establish
the mobile Tirth of sadhus, sadhvis, shravaks, and shravikas. Other Kevalis do not establish the Tirth.
Liberation of Shalaka Purushas
when the person sheds the remaining four Aghati Karmas, he/she attains liberation. Before ultimate
Liberation, they have to progress from 13 th to 14 th Gunasthan.
Tirthankers teach, guide, and show others the path of liberation and attain liberation themselves.
Chakravartis and Baldevas who renounce the worldly things may attain liberation or will reincarnate.
Vasudevas and Prativasudevas are engulfed in the worldly things, therefore they cannot attain liberation
and will reincarnate.
Lord Rushabhadev attained liberation at the beginning of the 4 th Ara and Lord Mahavira attained liberation
at the end of the 4 th Ara. The time period between the 1st Tirthanker attained liberation and the last
Tirthanker attained liberation is a constant time-frame for all Chovisis. It is one KotaKoti Sagaropam
minus 42,000 years.
The chart shows the liberation of humans only in Bharats and Eravats continents. The soul born as animal,
celestial, and hellish beings cannot attain liberation. They must be born as human being to attain liberation.
Great Event
After learning about the 63 Shalak Purushas from Sadhaviji Yakini, Pujya Shree Acharya Haribhadrasuri
was very much impressed by Jainism. He renounced his faith from Hindu religion and embraced Jainism.
He has written 1,444 books covering a wide spectrum of different subjects of Jainism.
Page 12

1. Rushabhdev
2. Bharat
3. Ajitnath
4. Sagar
5. Sambhavnath
6. Abhinandan
7. Sumatinath
8. Padmprabhu
9. Suparshwanath
10. Chandraprabhu
11. Suvudhinath
12. Shitalnath
13. Sreyansanath
14. Aswagriv
15. Achal
16. Tripushta
17. Vasupujya Swami
18. Tarak
19. Vijay
20. Dvipushta
21. Vimalnath
22. Merak
23. Bhadra
24. Swayambhu
25. Anantnath
26. Madhukit
27. Suprabha
28. Purushotam
29. Dharmnath
30. Nasumbha
31. Sudarsan
32. Purushsinha
33. Maghava
34. SanatKumar
35. Shantinath
36. Kunthunath
37. Aranath
38. Bali
39. Anand
40. Purush Pundarik
41. Subhum
42. Prahalad
43. Nandan
44. Datt
45. Mallinath
46. Munisuvrat
47. Mahapadma
48. Ravan
49. Ram
50. Lakshman
51. Naminath
52. Harishen
53. Jay
54. Neminath
55. Jarasangh
56. Balbhadra
57. Krishna
58. Brahmdatt
59. Parswanath
60. Mahavir
The above list contains all the Shalaka Purusha names.
Can you tell, why the total is 60
Page 13

1. Rushabhdev
2. Bharat
3. Ajitnath
4. Sagar
5. Sambhavnath
6. Abhinandan
7. Sumatinath
8. Padmprabhu
9. Suparshwanath
10. Chandraprabhu
11. Suvudhinath
12. Shitalnath
13. Sreyansanath
14. Aswagriv
15. Achal
16. Tripushta
17. Vasupujya Swami
18. Tarak
19. Vijay
20. Dvipushta
21. Vimalnath
22. Merak
23. Bhadra
24. Swayambhu
25. Anantnath
26. Madhukit
27. Suprabha
28. Purushotam
29. Dharmnath
30. Nasumbha
31. Sudarsan
32. Purushsinha
33. Maghava
34. Sanat Kumar
35. Shantinath Shantinath
36. Kunthunath Kunthunath
37. Aranath Aranath
38. Bali
39. Anand
40. Purush Pundarik
41. Subhum
42. Prahalad
43. Nandan
44. Datt
45. Mallinath
46. Munisuvrat
47. Mahapadma
48. Ravan
49. Ram
50. Lakshman
51. Naminath
52. Harishen
53. Jay
54. Neminath
55. Jarasangh
56. Balbhadra
57. Krishna
58. Brahmdatt
59. Parswanath
60. Mahavir
Page 14

Attributes of Tirthankars (Atishaya)
Tirthankars have unique attributes known as Atishaya.
Some Atishayas are birth related, some are created by heavenly Dev,
and some are realized at the time of becoming omniscient.
By birth, Tirthankar has the most beautiful, powerful, and proportionally
built body with 1008 auspicious birth marks on his body. As he is full of
compassion, his blood is white, like milk. His breath is fragrant like a lotus
and his body doesn’t generate any waste. He is always disease free.
He has very soothing, peaceful, serene and effective eloquent voice which
can be heard from very long distances. His language can be easily understood
by all – humans and animals alike. He can be seen and heard from all four
directions. Everyone listens to the sermon keeping their individual animosity aside.
In his vicinity the weather is always pleasant and there are no calamities for miles.
The following are always present during Tirthankar’s sermon.
Simhasan - A divine seat from which Tirthankar delivers sermon
Bhamandal - A halo around Tirthankar’s head
Chamar
- Angles are waving fans (Chowries)
Chhatra
- A three tier divine umbrella over the head
Ashok Vruksha - A tree under which Tirthankar sits
(12 times in height of respective Tirthanker)
Pushpavrusti - A continuous shower of fragrant flowers
Dev- dundubhi - A devine announcement declaring Tirthankar’s sermon
Dev-dhawani - A celestial music accompanying Tirthankar’s sermon
Page 15

Lord Mahavir
Mahavir was born on the 13 th day of the rising moon half of Chaitra
month in 599 B.C. in the state of Bihar, India. His father name was
Siddharth who was the king of Kshatriyakund. His mother name was
Trishala.
From the early childhood, he was found to be unusually intelligent, fearless,
affectionate, and compassionate. At school, he hardly needed any instructions.
He was born with three jnaan (Mati, Shruti, and Avadhi).
From the childhood, he knew that worldly happiness was not ever lasting.
Therefore at the age of 30, he renounced the worldly life to become a monk.
He spent the next twelve and half years in deep silence and meditation to conquer
his desires, feelings, and attachments. He carefully avoided harming or annoying
other living beings including animals, birds, and plants.
Also during this time he observed severe austerities, fasting for most of the time,
moving from place to place on bare foot, and peacefully faced all types of hardships.
He progressed spiritually and ultimately he shed his four destructive Karmas and
attained perfect perception, perfect knowledge, perfect power, and total bliss.
This realization is known as Kevaljnan (omniscience).
Now Mahavir became Lord Mahavir or Bhagavan Mahavir.
Lord Mahavir spent the following thirty years traveling around India preaching
the eternal truth to the people which he had realized. Lord Mahavir preached that
right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct together is the real path
to attain the liberation.
At the age of seventy two, Lord Mahavir attained liberation (Nirvan),
and became Siddha.
Page 16