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TEMPLES OF DELWÄDÄ
located in the town of Pälitänä that cost 40 million gold coins. He constructed the Vimal-vasahi temple there. It is located on the way to the main complex on the hill. It is a small but equally exquisite temple. It is popularly known as Bhulbhulämani temple, meaning a maze temple. He also constructed the well-known temples of Kumbhäriä on the Aräsur hill on the northern border of Gujarat. Moreover, he is credited with the construction of a beautiful temple in the capital city of Pätan. One successful but highly instructive anecdote is associated with his later life. It is said that Shridevi had a dream in which she saw a goddess. The goddess asked her to go to the temple along with her husband at midnight on a specific date and ask for whatever they wanted. Both of them were eager to have a son and went to the temple to express their wish. While they were waiting for midnight to arrive, they felt thirsty. Vimalshä therefore went to an adjoining well to fetch water. Inside the well there were steps which went all the way down to the water level. While he was going down the steps to get the water, someone asked him to pay toll for taking water. Vimalshä was amazed to hear that and asked the person why he was demanding toll to drink the water. The person replied that he was a descendent of the person who had built the well. Since he was poor, he was collecting a toll for using the well.
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Vimalshä was taken aback to hear that. He asked himself, "What would happen if one day some of my own descendants tried to collect a toll for the temple that I have built?" He shuddered at the idea and again asked himself whether it would be better in that case to remain without a child. He went up and told his wife about the incident. She
Shridevi and Vimalshä praying to concurred with his thinking. At midnight when the goddess
Goddess Ambikä asked them what they wanted, Shridevi replied that she did not want a child anymore. Now, it was the turn of the goddess to be taken aback at the reply. Vimalshä narrated what he had experienced and said that they wanted to remain childless.
Vastupäl and Tejpäl Two brothers, Vastupäl and Tejpal, were ministers in the court of King Vir Dhavala in Gujarat. Tejpal was also a very outstanding commander of the army. Both brothers made their name by their valor and faithfulness. They helped the King to conquer enemies and maintain law and order in the kingdom. Tejpal's wife, Anupama devi, was a wise and smart woman who always helped her husband in family matters. She was sweet spoken and a very religious and compassionate woman. Tejpal had always respected her opinion. Once, the families of both the brothers and many others went on a pilgrimage. They came to a small village. This particular area was not regarded as very safe for the pilgrims because the road was frequented with burglars. Thinking that they might meet some burglars on the way, the brothers decided to bury and hide their wealth in a nearby area. They started digging a hole, but to their amazement, they unearthed a big pot of jewels and coins from the ground. They simply did not know what to do with this wealth. Tejpal asked Anupama devi what they should do with this immense wealth. Anupama devi had no hesitation in replying that this wealth had come from a deep trench, but the right place for it was on a high mountain. This would spread the glory of Jainism. Thus, they decided to take it to the top of the mountain and spend it there.
JAIN STORY BOOK
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