Kulakara

In Jainism, ''kulakara'' (also ''manu'') refers to the wise men who teach people how to perform the laborious activities for survival. According to Jain Cosmology, when the third ''ara'' (epoch) of the '' avasarpani'' (present descending half-cycle of cosmic age) was nearing its end, felicities due to ten type of '' Kalpavriksha'' (wish-fulfilling trees) started declining. The number of the sages who thus appeared is said to be fourteen, the last of whom was ''Nabhirai'', the father of the first ''tirthankara'', ''Rishabhanatha''.

Role

Jainism acknowledge a set of first law-givers who flourished in the present ''Avasarpini'' age (in the third division called ''susama-duhsama'', when beings were born as twins and when the '' Kalpavriksha'' (wishing trees) used to provide them with necessary food, light and other necessities of life). The age of ''Kulakara'' was a primitive one, when arts and sciences were not known, and crime and punishment were in infancy.

Fourteen Kulakaras

Pratisruti

The first ''kulakara'' was Pratisruti. When the trees that shed strong light around them, in the state of the ''bhogabhumi'' disappeared and the sun and the moon became visible, the people, who saw them for the first time, were alarmed. It was Pratisruti who understood the cause of their appearance by his superior wisdom. He explained to them that the light of the trees had been too powerful thus far to enable the sun and the moon to be seen but now that that illumination had paled they became visible. The division of day and night dates from his time.

Sanmati

Sanmati was the second ''kulakara''. In his time the light of the trees had faded into insignificance, and even the stars became visible in the sky.

Kshemankara

Then came Kshemankara, after the lapse of a long long time. In his time animals began to be troublesome. Hitherto the feeding-trees had supplied men and animals with enough food; but now the conditions were changing, and every one had to look for himself. The distinction of domestic and wild animals dates from Kshemankara's time.

Kshemandhara

Kshemandhara was the fourth manu who followed Kshemankara after a long interval of time. He is said to have devised weapons of wood and stone to drive away wild animals.

Seemankara

The next manu was ''Seemankara''. In his time, quarrels arose over the ''kalpa trees'' (wish-fulfilling trees). He was called ''Seemankara'', because he had fixed the ''seemas'' (boundaries) of proprietorship.

Seemandhara

Seemandhara was the next in order to appear. The quarrels had become more intense by his time over the disappearing kal'pa vrikshas (trees). He laid the foundation of individual ownership over the trees, and he also set marks on them.

Vimalabahana

Vimalabahana was the seventh manu. He taught men how to utilise the services of domestic animals, and invented the tethering rope, the bridle and the like to keep them under control.

Chakshusmana

Chakshusmana then appeared after the lapse of another long period of time. In his time the old order of bhogabhumi was so far changed that the parents did not die at the birth of their progeny. Some people were astonished at this and enquired the cause of the change from Chakshusmana, which he explained.

Yasasvana

Yasasvana, the ninth ''kulakara''. According to Jain texts, he taught the men how to regard their children as their own, and to bless them.

Abhi Chandra

The tenth manu was Abhi Chandra, in whose time the old order of things underwent still further changes. The people now lived to play with their children; they also began to give them useful instruction. Because Abhi Chandra was the first to play with his children in moonlight he came to be known as Abhi Chandra (chandra signifying the moon).

Chandrabha

The eleventh manu was Chandrabha, in whose time children came to be looked after better. His guidance was also very beneficial
for mankind in certain other ways.

Marud deva

The twelfth manu was Marud Deva. He is said to have taught the art of navigation.

Prasenajit

Prasenajit was the thirteen ''kulakara''. According to Jain texts, in his time children came to be born with ''prasena'' (the amnion or membrane in which a child is born). Before his time children were not wrapped in a membrane.

Nabhi rai

The last of the ''kulakaras'' was Nabhi Rai. He was the father of Rishabhanatha. ''Kulkara'' Nabhi taught the men how to cut the navel chord (''nabhi''). According to Jain texts, thick rain cloud began to gather in the sky freely in his time.

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Jain saints