Jaina Gazette 1928

SR No.: 034890
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 502
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 76

THE NIRVANA OF LORD MAHAVIRA
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ing its close. So in order to attain the Siddhaship He had to free Himself from the four Aghati Karmas which though did not prevent Him from enjoying all glory in this temporal world, yet barred His soul from eternal Freedom and Bliss ; and hence Mahavira destroyed the remaining Karmas and as a result of that the Lord attained Liberation.
The Nirvana took place in the 4th part of the night on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Kartika, of 527 B. C. The pure bright soul of the Arhat released from its Karmic bondage flew straight up to the top of the Universe, where is believed to be the seat of the Liberated Souls. The Ascension of the Soul of Mahavira did not occur unnoticed. The time being night, though most of the people in the Assembly were asleep, there were some at least awake, whose eyes were dazzled by a bright light which suddenly spread over the earth. It is also said that a great (graha), comet in the shape of a heap of ashes appeared in the sky, as a sign perhaps of the Nirvana of the Blessed Jina. Not only this : wonderful phenomena, they say, occurred throughout the universe announcing the event to the different inhabitants of the higher, middle, and the lower regions. The ocean made a tremendous noise ; the earth shook a little ; the huge bells hanging in the celestial worlds rang of their own accord ; in the shining spheres a sound similar to the roar of a lion was heard ; the gods in the air beat their drums and the Bhavanoasi devas blew their conches. The devas rejoicing at these signs came down to the Earth to perform puja to the holy remains of their Lord.
The Angels of the air showerd rain of flowers; there was cool fragrant breeze blowing; and the gods walked free with men that day, though men knew not. They all bowed down before the holy body of the Blessed Jina and then cremated the holy remains in a magnificent and reverent way.
On the spot where the body of the Blessed Lord was cremated, they erected a stupa and to commemorate the day of Nirvana of their Master the eighteen confederate Kings of Kashi and Koshala, the nine Mallakies, and the pino Lichchavis and the
other royal disciples of the Jina met together and instituted an Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat