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CHAPTER VIII
ŚRI MAHAPADMACAKRICARITRA
Now, while the Jinendra Munisuvrata was wandering, Cakrin Mahāpadma was born, and his biography is narrated (herewith).
Previous birth (3-5)
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There is a city Śrīnagara in the province Sukaccha, ornament of East Videha in this Jambudvipa. There King Prajāpāla, devoted to the care of his subjects, was a cloud for the scattering of the hansas of the glory of other kings. One day, when he saw a sudden flash of lightning, disgusted with existence, he took the vows in the presence of Muni Samadhigupta. For a long time he kept the vows like the blade of a sword and, after he died, was born as the Indra of Acyuta. For even a little penance is not fruitless.
Birth of elder brother (6-9)
Now in Bharatakṣetra of Jambudvipa there is a city Hastinapura which resembles a city of the gods. Its king was named Padmottara, who belonged to the Ikṣvākufamily, like a lotus in the great lake Padma, the abode of Padma. His chief-queen was named Jvālā who had shining virtues, the ornament of the harem, surpassing goddesses in beauty. Her first son, indicated by a dream of a lion, was born like a young god in beauty, named Viṣṇukumāra.
Birth of Mahapadma (10-13)
Prajāpāla's jīva completed its life, fell from Acyuta, and descended into Queen Jvālā's womb. A son, indicated by fourteen great dreams, was borne by Queen Jvālā, named Mahāpadma, the abode of all the Śris. The two
76 13.
Hansas do not like rain.
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