________________
329
ledge), the enlightened Valkalaciri now began to preach True Religion to his father and to his brother. Some déva (presiding god of the locality) gave Muni-vesa (the apparel of a Jaina Sadhu) to Valkalaciri Muni.
Sramana Bhagavāna Mahāvira, addressing King Śreņika said o King ! When one day, while moving about from one place to and ther, we went to the beautiful park near Potanapura, Svayam Buddha Kévala Jnânî (one who had attained Kévala jnāna by himself without enlightenment by another superior person) Valkalaciri entrusted his own father to me, and he began to move about alone.'
King Prasanna Candra, went to Potanapura and he became more firm in his repugnance to wards worldly pleasures. Having installed his infant son on the throne, he took Diksā from me,
As soon as Śramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāvīra had finished the narration of King Prasanna Candra, King Śréņika saw a number of gods coming from the skies, and bowing down at the feet of the Worshipful Lord, he said -O Lord! Why is thus multitude of gods, illuminating the skies, coming here ? Śramaņa Bhagavāna Mahâvîra said:-“Prasanna Candra Rājarşi has attained Kévala Jnāna (Perfect Knowledge) and gods are coming here for the purpose of celebrating its Mahotsava”
On hearing the account of Prasanna Candra Rājarsi and his younger brother Valkalaciri from the mouth of Sramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāvîra, greatly delighted King Śréņika who was becoming more resolute in his determination of observing religious meditation, did respectful obeisance to śramana Bhagavāna Mahāvira, and went to Rājagriha Nagara.
42
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org