bhanuchandragani charit

SR No.: 002310
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Siddhichandra Upadhyay
Publisher: Jinshasan Aradhana Trust
Total Pages: 180
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 21 MB

Page 39

30
BHĀNUCANDRA CARITRA
The Emperor was much pleased to hear this glad piece of news and again requested the monk to accept a pürnapātra-& vessel or a box or a basket filled with valuable thingsoften given as present to one who brought good news. The monk taking advantage of this opportunity, said that if it was His Majesty's desire to do something which would bring happiness to him, he should issue an order to the effect that the prisoners of war in Saurāştra should be set free. Akbar hesitated for a moment and considered whether it was safe and sound to release the prisoners of war. In the end, however, his innate respect for any one learned and free from worldly desires got the better of him and he complied with the monk's request. A firmān on which was set his own seal, was issued and was given to Bhānucandra who immediately got it despatched to Gujarāt. For this achievement the fame of the monk spread far and wide and the glory of Jainism was recognized by all. (121)
There was no halting place for Jaina monks in the fort of Lahore. Bhānucandra, though keenly desirous of having one, thought that the object of his desire was not easy of achievement due to the antagonism of Muslims and other non-Jainas. After some hard thinking, he hit upon a plan. So, one day, he went to the Court to recite the names of the Sun, later than was his wont. The Emperor asked him the cause of his being late. Bbānucandra replied that his place of residence was far away in a crowded corner of the city and that he had always to experience much difficulty in making his way to the royal Court. Thereupon the Emperor pointed out that he could have at his disposal any of his palaces or an exclusive suite of rooms in any one of his palaces in the fort. The monk thinking that it could not be available as his own or beneficial to himself in future prayed for a gift of a piece of land for such a place of residence. The Emperor granted his request. A piece of land was made over to the Jaina community. A magnificent temple was created there together with simple rooms for the residence of the monks. An idol of Sāntinātha was consecrated there. Gold jars shone upon the crystal domes of the temple and the Jaina flag fluttered from the top of the highest dome. Thus the monk fulfilled the long-cherished ambition of the Jaina community 38 (139).
In course of time a daughter was born to the eldest son (Salim )*7 of the Emperor.
Cutch. Sattarsāl, the present Rājāh, is his grandson. There are many towns and the agricultural area is extensive. The residence of the Chief is at Nawănagar and his force consists
of 7000 cavalry and 8000 infrantry". 36 The construction of an upāsraya at Lahore is referred to in Iliravijaya Sūri Rāsa verses
36 and 37 p. 182, the cost whereof is stated to have been Rs. 20,000/37 "Prince Salim had created & veritable harem. He married several wives of various
nationalities and religions. After his accession to the throne, he married a few others includiny Mihurrinisä-Nur Jahan. Concubines raised the larein to the monstrous number of 300. A numerous progeny sprang from these unions" (Beniprasad). We shall mention here from Akbarnāmā his daughters born before he came to the throne. (1) On the eve of the 16th Ardibihisht (25-4-1586) the daughter of Räjá Bhagwant Dag gave birth to a daughter in the house of Prince Sultan Salim. According to Greek method 18 degrees of Sagittarius, and according to Hindu calendar 1 degree 41 minutes (A. N. III, p. 747) (Her name was Sultân-unnisā Begum who was born on 26-4-1686 and lived for 60 years.-Beniprasad).