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A great writer of religious texts and influential c rya
Hari Bhadra of V.N. 13th century (V.N. 1227-1298 or Vikram 757-827)
r Hari Bhadra, the royal adviser of the King Jit ri of Citraka, was a great scholar of very high calibre. He was an indisputable scholar of Vedas and Ved mga and other skills. He was very proud of his knowledge and skills.
While going on a road one day, he saw a Jain temple and idol therein. On seeing the Jina idol, he expressed his feelings in a sarcastic manner as follows:
Vapureva tav ca e spa a bhi nna bhojanam Na hi ko ara samsthedagnau tar rbhavati dvalah
One day due to excessive official work, he had to overstay in the royal palace. While returning home at night, he heard the following sweet verse being recited by an old lady.
Cakkiduggam haripa agam pa agam cakk a kesavo cakk
Kesavo cakk kesava ducakk kes ya cakk ya!
This verse really attracted Hari Bhadra's mind and attention. But he could not understand its meaning in spite of his repeated efforts to do so.
In the morning, he straight away went to the cottage of the old lady who was reciting this verse he heard at night. As he entered he saw an old female monk with deep meditation emanating from her face. Paying her respects to the female monk, Hari Bhadra asked the old female monk, ‘Mother! Were you c k cakya reciting that verse at night?'
The experienced eyes of the old female monk could not ignore her deep insight suggesting that this youth later on will perform great service of Jainism.
Hari Bhadra requested the female monk to explain the meaning of that verse to him as his heart is filled with the desire to know the same.
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