________________
CHAPTER II ŚRI ARANATHACARITRA
May the Lord Jina Ara, the tilaka of the Iksvāku family, who is the beautiful color of gorocanã,' the hansa in the pool of the fourth division of time, grant protection. I shall relate the brilliant life of the holy Lord Jina Ara, a moon for the delight of the night-blooming lotus of the three worlds, supreme lord.
Previous incarnations (3-11) In the city Susīmā in the broad province Vatsa on the north bank of the river Sītā in the East Videhas of this very Jambūdvīpa, there was a king Dhanapati, unlimited in wealth of heroism, rich in glory and dharma. Binding, beating, breaking of limbs, punishment, et cetera of no one took place, while he, the essence of command, ruled the earth. Because the people were free from quarrels with each other and were friendly with each other, the whole earth was like a monastic retreat. The dharma taught by the Jina played ardently, like a hansa, in the choice pool of his mind filled with the water of compassion. Then disgusted with valueless worldly existence, knowing the (comparative) value of everything, he became a mendicant in the presence of Muni Samvara, having undertaken the blocking of karma (samvara). Guarding his vows strictly, practicing severe penance, wise, he wandered over the earth, observing many restrictions. A merchant's son, Jinadāsa, fed the great muni with faith when he broke a four-month fast. Though an enemy of karma, Muni Dhanapati acquired the body-making-karma of a Tīrthakrt by the sthānas, devotion to the Arhats, et cetera.
1. I.e., golden. Cf. I, n. 177.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
