________________
312
Vazani During that period of disturbance, the Jaina Idols were carrided away and protected in Bhillamåla etc. At this time, Gandharava-vādi-Vétala Shanti Sürl had protected the Sangha
Caltya-Sthiti : Due to the strictness that was observed in the conduct of a Jaina-monk, some of them (sādhūs ) had become slack in pertorming their duties and consquently they began to stay in Caityas. Thus slowly began the practice of C'aitya-vāsa and after V.N 892 it became a firmly established custom; and it is from then, that it is so much prevalent. Sriman HaribhadraSūri and many other able Ācāryas had drawn the attention of the people towards this looseness of observance of rules of proper conduct, and with all their might had raised an objection to the spreading of the evil. The Caityavāsīs, as they used to reside in Caityas, used the Caitya's wealth for their personal purposes, used to put on even coloured or scen.ed clothes, used to eat food fetched by nuns, hoarding money, kept long hairs, enjoyed tasty dislies, used sacitta water, as well as, all the fruits and flowers, sell Jina Idols etc. and used to behave in such a way as would be blot on the Jaina-Śāsana.
The Creation of Brahma-dipikā Sakha Once while travelling, Arya Samita Sūrt ( the maternal uncle of Vajra Swami ) came to the country of Abhira. There were two rivers named Krispa and Pūrņā near Acalapura. Between the two rivers, was situated a beautiful island called Brahma. An ascetic named Déva Śarmā and his 499 followers (sişyas) were staying over the land and trying for the realisa. tion of Supreme Knowledge ( Brahma-Jñana ). One of them, with an aim to be famous, used to walk over the river after
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
