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PART III STORIES PRECEDING BHAGAWAN MAHÄVIR
was a well-known scholar of the time. He advised them to go through the penance of Ayambil oli, known as Navapad (nine pious entities) penance, which can cure all types of diseases. The Navapad Ärädhana (pujä) is observed by meditation and practicing a penance called Ayambil. Ayambil is observed by having only one meal a day of very plain food without any spices, milk, sugar, salt, oil, butter, fruits, or vegetables (sometimes minor exceptions are made by gurus for certain spices). Meanwhile, one meditates upon the Navapad: Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sädhus (Pancha Parmesthi), Jnän (knowledge), Darshan (faith), Charitra (conduct), and Tapa (penance). This penance and meditation is to be observed for nine days, twice a year, during the month of March/April (Chaitra) and September/October (Ashwin). The couple was to do this penance for four and half years, resulting in Nine Ayambil Olis (one every six months). Accordingly, Mayana and Shripal devoutly observed the Navapad worship and penance with all its vitality. The result was miraculous. Shripal's skin disease started fading, and in due course, he was totally cured of leprosy and regained the skin that he had before contracting the disease. Now he looked like the handsome prince that he had been. Mayanä was very happy with this result and thanked her karma for that change too. Since the change was apparently brought about by devotion to Navapad and practicing the penance, both of them continued to observe
Princess Mayanä marrying Shripal
Once, while they were at a temple, Queen Rupsundari saw them. She was shocked to see that her daughter was with a handsome man instead of the leper to whom she was married. Mayanä understood her anxiety and explained in detail everything that had happened. Rupsundari was extremely pleased to hear that. She told the King that Mayana's persistence about the theory of karma had been proven right. The King now realized the truth. Deep in his heart, he used to curse himself for bringing misery into his lovely daughter's life. Now, he became happy and invited his daughter and son-in-law to stay with him in the palace. Shripal's real identity was revealed to all, and by fortunate coincidence, his mother arrived at the palace and stayed with them. Once, there was a royal procession in which Shripäl was seated on an elephant along with the King. During the procession, someone pointed a finger at Shripäl and asked a relative who he was. The man replied that he was the King's son-in-law. Shripäl heard that and became sad that he was being identified by his relationship with his father-in-law. He felt that one should gain fame from one's own efforts and not from association with relatives. He therefore secured permission from Mayana and the King and set off by himself on an auspicious day. He traveled far and wide, visited many places, and boldly faced the adversities that he encountered. During that period, he did not
Shripäl and Mayanä are ardent
worshippers of Navapad
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JAIN STORY BOOK
