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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Shatrunjaya hill. This temple was before this visit kept in proper repairs by the minister Báhada by the orders of the King. After this pilgrimage the King returned to his capital.
Kumárapála Builds Steps over Girnár Hill:-After his return the King, feeling sorry for not being able to ascend the Girnar hill, issued orders for constructing a flight of steps for ascending the hill, and at the suggestion of Siddhapkla, the son of the poet-king Shripala, he appointed Amra, son of Raniga, as the subedar of Saurashtra and entrusted this work to him.
Kumárapála builds Charitable Institutions:--Thereafter the King built an alms-house (ATTIT) for giving food and clothing to helpless and decrepit Jain devotees; and, in its vicinity, also built a monastery (1991) for enabling religious-minded persons to pass their time peacefully while performing their devotions. The management of these charitable institutions was entrusted to sheth Abhaya-kumára, son of Neminága. For this proper choice of the person the king got praise from the poet Siddhapala.
Kumárapála's Full Conversion to Jainism:--Later on Hemachandra gave to the King detailed instructiou regarding the Twelve Vows to be observed according to the Jain religion and placed before him the examples of Anand and Kamadeva, the great Jains of ancient times, and also the example of his contemporary Chhaddua, 2 richest Jain living in Pátan. The King accepted the initiation of these vows with great devotion and thus became fully converted to Jainism.
Kumarapála's Daily Time-Table:--After the King accepted the Jain religion he began to pass his daily life like a regular Jain devotee. The following description of his daily time-table will be found interesting.
Leaving his bed very early in the morning the king recited the sacred Jain Mantra of "Panchá Namaskára" ( five salutations ) and meditated on the adorable gods and gurus. Thereafter, finishing his bath, etc. he worshipped the Jina images in the household temple, and, if time permitted, proceeded on elephant to the Kumára-vihára temple in company of his ministers. After performing eight-fold worship there he used to go to Hemachandra. Having worshipped him and listened to his religious teaching he returned at midday to his palace. Then he gave food and alms to mendicants and after sending food-offerings to the Jain idols of his temple, he took his meal. Meal over, he attended an assembly of learned men and discoursed with them on religious and philosophical topics. Among these the poet Siddhapála was the principal party who always pleased the King by narrating a number of stories and episodes. In the fourth prahara of the day (i. e. after three o'clock) the King took his seat on the throne in the royal court and attended to business of the State, heard appeals from people and passed judgments on