________________ Introduotion study it in the same light. The author himself reveals his purpose of writing the story in the very first verse of the book where he ways:"अरिहाइनवपयाई, झाइत्ता हिअयकमलमज्झमि / सिरिसिद्धचक्कमाहप्पमुत्तमं किंपि जंपेमि // " Having contemplated in the lotus-like heart the Nine Dignities such as the Arhat etc., I shull speak a little about the most ele-- vated greatness of the Siddhachakra ( or The Circle of the Sacred Ones ).". While seading the story it also appears that the author wants. to lay a greater stress on Bhava or extremely pure mental condition and Ayambila Penance. A stress has also been laid on the effect of Karma also. Moreover, by writing this story the author wants to show the superiority of the Jaina Religion over the Saiva and other religions, just as the Mahabbarata stories show the superiority of the Brahmanic Religion over other religions. 7. The greatness of the Navapada has been emphasized in striking words. The greatness of by Gautamaswami, the narrator the Ναυαραλα. of the story himself in verses 16 to 34 which are briefly summarized
