Kuvalayamala Part 2

SR No.: 002778
Original Sutra Author: Udyotansuri
Author: A N Upadhye
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 368
Language: Sanskrit, English
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 12 MB

Page 104

INTRODUCTION
Lobhadeva who floated unconscious to an island the residents of which took out periodically his flesh and blood for alchemical purpose. He was left just a skeleton and was picked up by Bhārunda birds. When he was dropped by them on a lonely spot, somehow he felt remorse for his ingratitude to Bhadraśreșthin. He wanted to purify his sin. Some mysterious conversation induced him to go to the Ganges to wash his sins. On the way, he paid respects to Dharmanandana under whose religious guidance he accepted dīkņā (S$ 126-140). After a pious death, he was born in the Saudharma-kalpa as (ii) god Padmaprabha (p. 92.9 ff.). Thence he was reborn as (iii) Sāgaradatta in a banker's family at Campā. With his self-respect pricked and his vanity tickled, he left home with a resolve to die in flames failing to earn seven crores within a year. He reached Jayasrī on the southern shore, and worrying about his gains he came across a significant Malūra tree with wealth beneath it. Guided by an anonymous voice, he took from there a handful of silver coins, won the favour (as well as the daughter of a local merchant by his skill in salesmanship, and sailed to Yavana-dvīpa where he earned more than seven crores. But while returning, he lost everything due to ship-wreck. He touched alive Candradvspa where he saved a lonely maiden who was about to hang herself being frustrated in her love. Both of them tried, in à mood of despair, to enter flames which were turned into lotuses. God Padmakesara ( < Mohadatta) rebuked him for his cowardly attempt, reminded him of his responsibility, gave him 21 crores of coins, married him to both the girls, and reached him to Campā. In due course, Sāgaradatta accepted dīkşā under Dhanadatta, and became a great Saint endowed with clairvoyance. He remembered his earlier colleagues and the mutual agreement. He went to the place where the Lion was staying. Through Padmakesara, who possessed the horse, Kuvalayacandra was brought there and enlightened by showing the jewels which were to serve as a memento (S$ 185-95). The saint Sāgaradatta was reborn in the Vaidūrya-vimāna as (iv) a god (p. 216-17 f.). Thence he took birth as (v) Vajragupta at Rşabhapura (S$ 378 f.). When the town was being regularly robbed by a mysterious robber, Vajragupta openly resolved to burn himself in flames, in case he failed to spot the robber within a week. Six days passed without any success. At the risk of his life, he invoked the grace of a Vetāla. He found out the place of the robber, and, through the aid of Campakamālā who was once betrothed to him but was kidnapped by the robber, he successfully finished him. He stayed in that cellar enjoying various pleasures in the company of his beloved for twelve years. For seven mornings continuously, he heard an anonymous voice (that of the souls of Māyāditya and Caņdasoma in heaven) exhorting him to follow the path of true religion by meeting a Sarvajña. At Kākandī he went to the Samavasarana of Mahāvīra who enlightened him on his antecedents and duties. He accepted dikşā, so also his beloved ($ 394). After practising samlehaņā-maraņa, he became an Antakst-kevalin and thus attained liberation ($ 415).
[V] King Kosala gave capital punishment to his son Tosala for violating the chastity of Suvarnadevī who was separated for long from her husband and