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In the Mahapurana, in the Uttara Purana, there was a king named Bhupala. He was defeated in a battle by ambitious kings. His pride was shattered, and he became deeply detached from the world. He took Jain initiation from a guru named Sambhuta. While performing austerities, he made a resolution to become a Chakravarti. This resolution was born out of his attachment to worldly pleasures. His austerities were thus tainted by his mind, just as milk is tainted by poison. 52-54
He continued to perform severe austerities. At the end of his life, he died in a state of equanimity, having renounced the world, and was reborn in the Maha Shukra heaven. 55
There, he enjoyed a life of happiness for sixteen oceans of years. Meanwhile, in this Jambudvipa, in the Bharat Kshetra, there was a country called Kaushala, full of virtues. In its city of Ayodhya, the Ikshvaku king Sahasrabahu ruled. His beloved queen was named Chitramati. She was the daughter of Parata, the king of Kanyakubja. By the grace of great merit, she gave birth to a son named Kritaviradhip. 56-58
As he grew, another story is told. Sahasrabahu's uncle, Shatabindu, had a son named Jamadagni, born to his wife, Shrimati. Shrimati was the sister of King Parata. Jamadagni's mother died when he was young, so he became a renunciate and performed the Panchagni tapas. 59-60
Another story is related. There was a king named Dridgrahi. He had an unbreakable friendship with a Brahmin named Harisharma. Their time passed in this way. One day, Dridgrahi took Jain vows, and Harisharma also became an ascetic. At the end of his life, Harisharma died and was reborn in the Jyotirloka, becoming a Jyotishi deva. Dridgrahi was reborn in the Saudharma heaven. With his eyes of knowledge, he saw that his friend Harisharma had been reborn in the Jyotirloka due to his false beliefs. Therefore, he came to guide him towards the proper Jain Dharma. 61-64
Seeing Harisharma's soul, Dridgrahi's soul said, "You have been born in this despicable state because of your false beliefs. And
1. Praapto'l. 2 Sa bhuta-l. 3 Sudhil 4 Sukhamaap sahk. 5 Kaushalyakhye k., gh. 6 Kanyakubja l. 7 Parataavyasya k., gh. 8 Nivedaattaapaso m., l. 6 Dyotishaam k., 50, Jyotishe l. 10 Utkrishtashuddha l.