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301
On the seat of Vrddhadeva Sūri; Pradyotana Sūri became the 18th Pattadhára.
After Śri Pradyotana Sūri came on his seat Mānadeva Sūri as the 19th Paftadhara. While the ceremony of offering the Süri-Pada ( the title of a Sūri' ) was going on, the Goddess of Speech (Saraswati ), as well as, the Goddess of Wealth (Laksmi) was seen seated on his shoulders. The Guru marked if and thinking that it would be hard for him to preserve his căritra (proper conduct) he became dejected. Mänadeva Sūri, who marked the change of his guru's face, took an oath to abandon any kind of food (Bhiksā ) frem Śrāvakas as wellas all the six Vigayas. Due to the observance of such severe penance, four Goddesses named Padmā;" Jayā, Vijayā and Aparājutā used to stay close to him. Once, in the city of Nãdola he was seated, surrounded by all those four goddesses; some Śrāvaka saw him and called in question his character. Later on the goddesses punished him.
NO 17 SRI VRDDHADEVASURI AND
NO. 18 SRI PRADYOTANASURI
in Korantaka ( Modern Koraļā near Sivaganja ) there dwelt Náhada Mantri and his brother Sâliga. From the preachings of Devasūri they became attracted towards Jain Dharma; and in their hearts arose firm. faith for it. On the 9th day of the brighthalf of the month of ASO, Nāhada went to the Guruji and asked him whether it was adivisable for him to offer as a sacrifice to the Goddess Cămundā a bull as he desired to do it. The Guruji advised him to be away from such ghastly deeds of violance
On that very night the Guruji-by his supernaturad powers summoned the Goddess Cāmundā and said. Think of your former lfe ! Such improper conduct is not in keeping with your former deeds. You were, in your former birth, the wife of
* "Lagbasbaatı" mentions the game of Ajitā also.
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