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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snialler temples round it for the different Tîrthaukaras. The large cushionshaped stone-caps on the spires and the vaselike fineals that surmounted them were all built of gold; and in the central temple a very gigantic image in sapphire of the Tirthankara Neminátha was placed, with 72 images in brass of other Tirthankaras located in the smaller temples. Besides these, in Patan alone Kumarapala built 24 Jain temples for 24 Tirthaukaras, of which the temple of "Tri-Vihára'' was prominent. Outside Pátan, in other places in his kingdom, he built so many Jain temples that their exact number cannot be ascertained. Of these, however, the great temple of Ajitanátha on the Táranga Hill, built under the supervision of the Subedar Abhaya, son of Jasadeva, is worthy of mention.
King Kumarapala did not rest satisfied in showing his devotion to the Jain religion by thus building Jain temples alone, but like a devout follower of that religion he used to visit in person the Jain temples and worship the images therein. Further, in order to impress upon the people the greatness of that religion he used to celebrate with great eclat Jain festivals like "ashtanhika''.
Kumárapála's Celebration of Jain Festivals:--These festivals he used to celebrate every year in the famous temple of "Kumára-vihára?' at Pátan in the months of Chaitra and Ashvina in the latter 8 days of the bright fortnight. On the last day of the festival, i. e, on the full-moon day, in the evening, a large chariot drawn by elephants, containing the image of Párshvanátha, used to go in procession through the town to the royal palace, accompanied by the King's officers and leading citizens. The King, having personally worshipped the image amidst dances and prayers of the people. the chariot rested for the night in the palace and departed next pioruing to a grand pavilion erected outside the palace-gate, attended by the King in person. After being again worshipped by the King, the chariot passed through the various lanes of the city resting at intervals in the special pavilions erected on the route and then returned to its own place. The King in this way not only himself celebrated the greatness of the Jain religion but issued orders to his tributary princes to celebrate it in a similar manner, The subordinate princes also built Viháras in their own cities.
Kumárapála's Pilgrimage to Saurashtra Temples:-Once a group of Jain pilgrims, set out on a visit to Saurashtra (Káthiáwád) temples, halted on their way at Pátan. Seeing them the King also thought of going on the same pilgrimage and, accompanied by Hemachandra and a large army and a large Jain congregation, he travelled to Saurashtra and halted at Girinagar (Junagadh) situated at the foot of the hill Raivata (Girnar). But owing to bodily infirmity he could not ascend the hill; so he sent up his ministers to perform the worship. From there the whole party of pilgrims, including the King, proceeded to visit the temple of Rishabhadeva on the