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JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XL, NO. 1 July 2005
her and starts earning as a potter. They get a son. Father taught him all branches of knowledge including enchanting, magic and multiplication of things (bahurūpiņi vidyā).
Then one day the chief saint, in whose group Māghanandi stayed earlier, came again by their way. He listened the verses Māghanandi was singing. Realising he hasn't lost his knowledge, even though he lost his character, the chief saint came to him and preached
Then Māghanandi renounced his family life, again became saint and went back to his group. His son Salivāhana, later became the famous king in India.
This legend points out to so many aspects of human psychology. It tells that even hard meditating saint may fall a victim to temptations. Secondly, it points out that there can be a rise even after a deep fall. Thirdly, it signals that blind devotion or working with ignorance is of no use.
Thus different legends related to Jains reveal details of history, human psychology, and faiths of the Jains. Folk songs prevailing among the Jains are beautifully composed, express the life experiences and philosophy believed and followed by Jains generally in India and perticularly in Karnataka.
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