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In Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its s ...
, Balabhadra or Baladeva are among the sixty-three illustrious beings called ''Å›alÄkÄpuruá¹£a
According to the Jain cosmology, the ÅšalÄkÄpuruá¹£a () "illustrious or worthy persons" are 63 illustrious beings who appear during each half-time cycle. They are also known as the ''triá¹£aá¹£á¹iÅ›alÄkÄpuruá¹£a'' (63 illustrious persons). ...
s'' that are said to grace every half cycle of time. According to Jain cosmology
Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the Universe (''loka'') and its constituents (such as living beings, matter, space, time etc.) according to Jainism. Jain cosmology considers the universe as an uncreated entity t ...
, ''Å›alÄkÄpuruá¹£a'' are born on this earth in every ''Dukhama-sukhamÄ'' ''ara''. They comprise twenty-four ''tÄ«rthaá¹…karas
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (; ) is a saviour and supreme preacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', a fordable passage across ''saṃsÄra'', the sea of interminable birth ...
'', twelve ''chakravartin
A ''chakravarti'' (, ) is an ideal (or idealized) universal ruler, in the history, and religion of India. The concept is present in Indian subcontinent cultural traditions, narrative myths and lore. There are three types of chakravarti: ''c ...
s'', nine ''balabhadra'', nine ''narayana'', and nine ''pratinarayana''. Their life stories are said to be most inspiring. According to the Jain ''puranas'', the ''Balabhadras'' lead an ideal Jain life.
Nine Balabhadras
According to the ''Digambara
''Digambara'' (; "sky-clad") is one of the two major Jain schools and branches, schools of Jainism, the other being ''ÅšvetÄmbara'' (white-clad). The Sanskrit word ''Digambara'' means "sky-clad", referring to their traditional monastic pract ...
s'' nine ''Balabhadras'' of the present half cycle of time ('' avasarpini'') are:
References
General references
* * Salakapurusa {{India-culture-stub