Jain Legend Vol 4

SR No.: 007597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 241
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 2 MB

Page 119

c rya Hemacandra S ri, apart from propagating the glory of Jain religion aimed at obliterating the religious intolerance that dwelt in the hearts of the people and carried out many remarkable activities in that direction too. He used to treat all the religions and scholars of all other philosophies with equal esteem. With such noble policy of cooperation and harmony, he worked tirelessly towards eliminating religious intolerance and fanaticism from Gurjara region.
Jain history is aplenty with such examples, which show his policy of religious equanimity. One such example from Prabh vaka Caritra is as follows:
One day King Siddhar ja set out on a pilgrimage. Even before taking the decision, the king asked Hemacandra S ri to accompany him. While starting their pilgrimage King Jayasimha pleaded c rya to sit in a palanquin and give him company. However c rya refused his request as it was against ascetic code of conduct. He travelled a vast area on foot. Overshadowed by the sorrow of not having a son, Jayasimha visited many pilgrim centres like atrumjaya, Raivatak cala, Ujjayanta, etc. along with Hemacandra S ri. During this pilgrimage the king never used either a throne or a seat to sit, he made the surface of earth as his seat and throne. To earn 'pu ya' (results of virtuous meritorious deeds), the Clukya king liberally donated villages, huge amounts of money etc. to Jain temples. In Ujjayanta after offering venerations to the idol of Lord Nemin tha, the king made it a propriety of conduct that nobody should ever sleep either on elevated place or on a cot in that pilgrim centre. Indulging in sexual pleasures, performing rituals related to defilement caused due to birth or death of a person and churning the curd were prohibited there forever. Thereupon the king Jayasimha along with Hemacandra S ri went to Some wara and entered into the temple.
c rya felt extremely happy looking at the form of almighty. To adopt and follow the policy of secularism, living in harmony with people of different religions should be the practice of the day for attaining salvation. With this thought in his mind he recited this loka in a melodious tone and paid homage to Lord Some wara:
Yatra tatra samaye yath tath , yoa si soa syabhidhay yay tay / V tado akalu ah sa ced bhav neka eva bhagavannamoa stu te ||
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