Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

Page 192

BREAKING THE FAST
After this six month fast Bhagavāna set out to get food. At that time no one knew about the procedure of offering suitable food to ascetics. Out of devotion people offered a variety of things to Bhagavāna but he would just step ahead without even looking at these gifts. Six months passed and he could not get any food. One day he arrived outside Hastinapur. The younger brother of King Somaprabha of Hastinapur was named Sreyainsa. As soon as he saw Bhagavāna he recalled an incident from his earlier birth when he had offered alms to some ascetic. As soon as he knew of the procedure, he did formal worship of Bhagavāna and with all devotion offered him sugar-cane juice, the only food available in palace at that time. After drinking the juice Bhagavāna returned to the forest. Gods and human beings praised prince Śreyāinsa heartily. Being the first person to offer food to Bhagavāna prince Śreyāṁsa was honoured with the title Dāna Tirtha Pravartaka (Founder of the tradition of alms giving). The date on which the first ascetic was given his first alms became famous as Aksaya Tritiya.
ATTAINING OMNISCIENCE
Bhagavāna went to mount Kailash and did spiritual practices for a long time. After that he came to the Purimtāla garden and under the same tree where he got initiated. He sat there in meditation. Through his austerities he destroyed all the four vitiating karmas and attained kevala-jñāna (omniscience). He became all knowing, all-seeing Arhanta Paramātmā (the supreme-soul). His soul acquired infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss, and infinite potency. Before this moment he was not Bhagavāna (God, possessor of all glory). People called him Bhagavāna only because he was to become that. The date on which he got kevala-jñāna was Fālguna Krşņā eleventh.
After he got omniscience humans, gods, and animals came there for his worship. Out of devotion that place was called Prayaga and the Banyan tree was named Akśaya Vata. Since then the two became pious pilgrimage centers.
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