Page Text
________________
THE NIRVANA OF LORD MAHAVIRA 169 into the water in great confusion. At present no lotuses are blooming in the tank but it is easy to imagine how charming the tank must look when white and red lotuses dot its surface and the fish dance in its pellucid depths through the mazes of the lotusstems. The sun also may then be imagined as converting every stray drop of water that the ever-busy tails of the fish have cast on to a lotus, into a pearl of the most beautiful pink colour. The insulated temple of our last Lord is reached by a bridge of stone. In the temple itself is a low chamber, facing the east are 3 niches : the central one, the largest of the three, contains the foot-impressions of Lord Mahavira; the niche on the right of it, of His disciple Gautama Swami ; and that on the left those of Sudharmacharya. Both these saints flourished in the time of Mahavira and attained Nirvana within 62 years of His death, at Pava. How tranquillizing and purifying the effect of a visit to the hallowed Feet is, can be best known by actual experience."
"......... We hope that our educated brethren, would not throw the opportunity when it arises of paying a visit to Pavapuri and sitting at the visible-in-visible Feet of the Great Master, whose bright finger points still to the eternal path and whose charming voice still allures the weary pilgrim to the regions of Peace of Joy and Truth!"
Indeed, the simple beauty of Pavapuri is inspiring; there is a sort of purity and bliss about the sylvan retreats which can be felt only by the spiritually advanced ; the nir-aksherivani or the letterless voice of the Arhat, though melted into stillness and silence is yet audible to the spiritual ear; from the tank cool wafts of wind laden with lotus-scents breathed by the water-gods sigh over the surrounding land.
Sitting at the Blessed Feet of the Lord which truly unlock the gate-ways to Heaven, is in itself a celestial blessing. The Place where the Feet rest is sanctified and
Lo! thou who comest thither, bare thy feet And bow thy head! for all this spacious earth Hath not a spot more dear and hallowed.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
| SR No. | 034890 |
| Book Title | Jaina Gazette 1928 |
| 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 |