Jain Journal 1971 01

SR No.: 520021
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1971
Total Pages: 54
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 45

JANUARY, 1971
139
the sage, resorted to his protection and made over his kingdom to his son Kiranatejasa. With the permission of his Guru he went to Puskaradvipa and passed some time on the mountain Vaitadhya in austere penance, carrying an image of the Jina. The soul of the Kurkuta serpent came from hell, being reborn there as a great serpent. Owing to their prenatal enmity the serpent bit Kiranavega. The later regarded this as the result of his karma, died contentedly and forgivingly and was reborn as a god in Jambudrumavarta. The serpent was burnt by a forest fire and went to Dhumaprabha hell.
Sarga 3 : King Vajranabha and his infidel cousin Kuvera
Kiranavega fell in due time from his high estate of god, and was reborn as prince Vajranabha, son of Laksmivati, the wife of Vajravirya, king of Subhankara. He grew into every bodily and mental perfection, so as to become the fitting mate of Vijaya, daughter of Chandraketu of Badgadesa, with whom he lived wisely and piously. It happened that he had a visit from a cousin (mātulanandana), by name of Kuvera, an infidel, hated even by his father. Kuvera mocked Vajranabha's piety, advising him to fulfil every desire of his mind, speech, and body. While Vajranabha was trying to reform Kuvera, the great sage Lokacandra arrived in a park outside the city. They both went to hear him preach a lengthy sermon on a variety of topics. Kuvera remained sceptical, upheld the advantages of a sensual life, and supported his position by rationalistic arguments. The sage gently reproved and refuted him and in the course of exposition of the Jaina doctrine, arrived at the four worldly (laukika) virtues, which are : vinaya 'tact, viveka 'discernment', susanga 'association with good people and susattvatā ‘resolute courage'.
The infidel Kuvera was converted by the sage’s elaborate exposition of the four 'worldly virtues'. Kuvera, further more, inquired after those virtues which reach beyond the world (lokottara). Lokacandra explained that the same worldly virtues, applied to the highest aims constitute the virtues that reach beyond life (lokottarā guņāh). At the end of sage's sermon, Kuvera asked him to be his guru.
Prince Vajranabha, in the company of Kuvera, returned to the city. His father, king Vajravirya, made over to him his kingdom, and took the vow. Vajranabha, while ruling piously and righteously, was taken in his turn, with misgivings as to the stability of the world and its allurement. He also decided to seek salvation. Notwithstanding the protest of his son Cakrayudha, he appointed him his successor,