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This is the story at the time when king Kumarpal was attracted towards the Acharya but had not fully accepted Jainism. But gradually their relations developed into those of Guru-Shishya, i.e. the master and the disciple. The orthodox people did not like his love for Jainism so they always tried to debase the Acharya.
Once when the Acharya was not present, the opponents discussed about religion and criticised the Acharya. Some one told the King, "O Rajan ! Hemchandrasoori always talks about Jainism and sings the praise of Jain teerths (Piligrimage centres). That is all right, but he criticises our teerths, gods and goddesses. We do not like this."
As it is, religion is a very delicate subject, not worth discussing or arguing with all and sundry. The king had also not matured fully in religious matters. Instead of asking the Acharya directly about this, he formed a new plan and invited the Acharya to join him in the pilgrimage to Somnath Mahadev, a Hindu Teerth.
All the opponents had thought that the Jain Acharya would never go on a pilgrimage to a Hindu
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