Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 5

SR No.: 008006
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 616
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion
File Size: 14 MB

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During the latter part of his life, he had an eager desire of leading a life of a Jîna-kalpi sādu. Although Jîna-kalpa had become extinct during the time of Jambū Swāmi, on account of the superior practices :of Jina-kalpa, Arya Mahāgiri observed all the religions practices of a Jina-kalpi sādhu, remaining as he did within the pen of his congregation of Sā. dhūs.
Arya Mahãgiri was very often busy in preaching and giving lessons to numerous sādhūs and so the entire burden of the management of the Gaccha, rested with Ārya Su-hasti Sūri.
When, one day, both the Yuga-pradhāns went to Pātaliputra (modern Patnā), Ārya Su-hasti Sūri instructed a merchant named Vasubhūti and made him fanular with the Nine Categories viz-Jiva, A-jīva, Punya-Pāpa etc. of the Jaina Religion. Vasubhūti tried to explain the main principles to his family-members, but they could not understand any thing as they were dull-witted. So, the merchant Vasubhūti took Arya Suhasti Sūri to his house and when the Ācārya Mahārāja was explaining the categories to his family-members, Ārya Mahāgiri Mahárāja accidentally came to Vasubhūtis' house for bhikṣā (alms). Ārya Su-hasti Süri immediately stood up and did worshipful salutations to him. On being asked by Vasubhūti the reason, out of curiosity, why he immediately got up and did worshipful salutation, the Guru Mahārāja said.-Mahātmā Sriman Arya Mahāgiri Mahārāja is my worthy preceptor. He practises severe austerities. He always accepts food and drink materials which are not so tasteful and which are fit to be discarded. In case, however he does not get such articles as alms for the day, he observes a fasting for that day. When Ārya Su-hasti Sūri went away from Vasubhūti's house, the merchant told his family-members:~"When such a pious sādhū comes again for bhikṣā (alms ) you fraudulently say that these articles of food and drink-material are fit to be discarded, and then give them to him as alms; you will acquire iinmense punya ( merit) by such gifts.