Chakravarti and Vasudev in Jainism - Part 1

12 Chakravartis
Chakravartis are rulers of all 6 sections (Khands or continents) of an area (Kshetra or planet). All kings, great kings and Vidyadhar kings are subordinate to a Chakravarti. They individually and uninterruptedly rule over the entire earth.
A Chakravarti has superior bodily attributes. He has the strongest adamantine body structure, a perfectly symmetric body, a golden complexion and a body free from excreta. As a result of penance done in past lives, a special weapon capable of astonishing the universe called the Chakra (wheel, disc or Chakraratna) is found in a Chakravarti’s armory.
The Chakraratna protected by 1,000 Yakshas moves ahead of the army. After subduing all kings and instructing them to follow the correct rules while ruling their kingdoms, the Chakravarti finishes his journey of conquest. After completing his conquest, the Chakravarti goes to Mount Vrishabhachal. Feeling proud of his achievement of conquest, he is about to inscribe his name on the mountain when he is astonished by the thousands of names that have already covered the whole mountain.
The wealth of the Chakravartis is unmatchable. They possess 14 jewels (Ratnas), 9 treasures (Nidhis), 7 political limbs (Angs) and 10 enjoyments (Bhog).
Of the 14 jewels, 7 are living and 7 are non-living. These are also called great jewels (Maharatnas) and are protected by 1,000 Yakshas each.
The 7 non-living jewels are:
1. Chakraratna (wheel) destroys enemies
2. Chhatraratna (parasol) protects military forces from sun, rain, dust, hail, iron, etc.
3. Asi (Khadga or sword) pleases the Chakravarti’s mind
4. Dand (staff) clears and flattens 48 Kos of a battlefield
5. Chudamani (gemstone) bestows desired objects \
6. Kakini (stone) lights up caves, etc. like the moon and sun
7. Charm (shield) helps armies, etc. cross rivers, etc.
The 7 living jewels are:
1. Grihpati (housekeeper) looks after the accounts and domestic activities of the royal household
2. Senapati (general) ensures victory over the 6 sections (1 Arya Khand, 5 Mlecch Khands)
3. Purohit (priest) shows everyone the correct practices for household activities related to Dharm and rituals
4. Sthapati (builder) prepares palaces, mansions, temples, etc. as desired
5. Stri (woman) is the chief queen of the Chakravarti
6. Hathi (elephant) defeats groups of elephants from the enemy’s army
7. Ashva (horse) jumps 12 Yojans while inaugurating (opening for the first time) the valve of the Timisra cave.
The 9 treasures are found in the riverfront city of wealth Shripur:
1. Kal (periodic treasure) bestows relevant substances as per the season
2. Mahakal (great periodic treasure) bestows various types of foods, utensils and objects of agriculture, defense, trade, art, artisanship, etc.
3. Manvak (treasure of youth) bestows various types of weapons
4. Pingal (yellow treasure) bestows ornaments
5. Naisarp (inborn treasure) bestows temples and houses
6. Padma (lotus treasure) bestows various types of clothes
7. Panduk (treasure in the rough) bestows various crops, nectars and sources of wealth
8. Shankh (conch treasure) bestows musical instruments
9. Sarvratna (treasure of all jewels) bestows all types of jewels
9 Baldevs, 9 Vasudevs and 9 Prativasudevs
A Baldev (also called Balbhadra, Ram) is the older brother of a Narayan (Vasudev) and there is deep affection between these two brothers. All Baldevs perform penance in a past life, are reborn as male celestial beings and then are reborn as Baldevs. They are very strong, handsome and famous. They have 8,000 queens and 5 jewels:
1. Ratnamala (garland)
2. Langal (Aparajit Hal, plough)
3. Musal (pestle)
4. Divya Gada (divine mace)
5. Shakti (power)
The Vasudev (or Narayan) and Prativasudev (or Pratinarayan) are contemporaries i.e. they live during the same time. In past lives, both perform penance with a wish for a future reward and are reborn as male celestial beings in heaven after which they become Vasudev or Prativasudev. Both are half-Chakravartis who rule over 3 Khands (the Arya Khand and 2 adjacent Mlecch Khands). 16 fly whisks move to and fro near both of them and both have 16,000 queens. The Pratinarayan is often a Vidyadhar (a semi-divine human with special abilities who tries to perfect various sciences i.e. Vidyas) while the Narayan is always a man born on the earth.
Each Vasudev has the following jewels:
1. power (Shakti)
2. bow (Dhanush)
3. mace (Gada)
4. disc (Chakra or wheel)
5. sword (Khadg)
6. conch (Shankh)
7. staff (Dand)
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