Kumarpal Pratibodh

SR No.: 001873
Original Sutra Author: Somprabhacharya
Author: Jinvijay
Publisher: Central Library
Publication Year: 1920
Total Pages: 564
Language: Prakrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari, Story, & Literature
File Size: 11 MB

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come and listen to the preaching of Devachandra. Having become attached to Devachandra through his teachings the boy Changadeva became inclined to become the former's disciple and began to live and wander with Devachandra. Devachandra while wandering went to Cambay and there, through the maternal uncle of Changadev, by name Nemi, he persuaded the parents of Changadeva and initiated Changadeva into Jain religion and gave him the name of Somachand.
Hemachandra as an Achárya:-This boy-ascetic, who possessed almost a superhuman intellect, became master of all Shastras within a short time, and, as a reward of his learning his preceptor gave him the name of "Hemachandra" and raised him to the position of an "Áchárya" (preceptor). Struck dumb with admiration for Hemachandra's learning, King Siddharája Jayasimha became his great devotee and consulted him in each and every Shastric matter and was thoroughly satisfied. Under the influence of his teaching, Siddharaja began to feel an attachment for Jain religion and in appreciation of the same he constructed a Jain temple, by name "Ráyavihára”, in Pátan and another, by name "Siddhavihára", at Siddhapur. At Siddharájá's request Hemachandra wrote a work, called "Siddha-Haima-Vyakarana", a perfect masterpiece on grammar. The King's attachment for Hemachandra grew so strong that he never felt happy until he listened to the nectar-like teaching of Hemachandra.
Hemachandra and Kumárapála:-Having related the story of Hemchandra so far, the minister Báhada advised King Kumárapála that if he too desired to get the knowledge of true religion, he should approach Hemachandra with devotion. Following his minister's advice Kumarapala began to listen to the preachings of Hemachandra.
Hemachandra first began to preach to the King, by means of parables and legends, on the evil effects of animal-slaughter, gambling, meat-eating drinking, prostitution, plundering, etc., and persuaded him to prohibit these in his kingdom by issuing royal decrees. Then he gave him instruction regarding true God, true Guru and true religion as propounded in Jain religion and showed him the evils of accepting false gods, false gurus and false religion. In this way King Kumárapála became gradually devoted to Jain religion and as a mark of his devotion he began to build Jain temples in various places. First he built a grand temple, called "Kumára-Vihára" in Pátan under the supervision of the minister Báhada and the two sons of Garga Sheth of Váyada family, by name, Sarva-deva and Samba Sheth. In the central temple of this Vihára he placed a large image of Parshvanath in white marble and in the adjoining 24 temples, he placed images of the 24 Tirthankaras in gold, silver and brass metals. After this Kumarapala built another temple, called "Tribhuvana-Vibára", still grander and very much higher, with 72 1. So called because it was built in memory of his father, King Tribhuvanapála,