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BEHOLDING BHAGAVAN
54. Thousands of eyes (of men and women on the streets of Champa) were looking again and again at king Kunik, the son of Bhambhasar. He was being greeted again and again by thousands of hearts filled with best wishes. Thousands of people were singing in his praise. Bearing in mind his radiant personality, good fortune and other qualities, thousands of people were expressing their hope that such a master be ever present among them.
The king was responding to these greetings from thousands of men and women with joined palms by waving his hands and softly asking about their welfare. Thus passing thousands of rows of houses, king Kunik crossed the city and arrived at Purnabhadra Chaitya.
Coming to Purnabhadra Chaitya, he stopped at an appropriate distance and observed the divine canopy and other divine signs of a Tirthankar. He then stopped his royal elephant and alighted from it. After removing his five regalia, namely (1) sword, (2) umbrella, (3) crown, (4) whisks, and (5) sandals, he approached the spot where Bhagavan Mahavir was seated. He observed the five codes of courtesy meant for a religious assembly (abhigam) and went before Bhagavan Mahavir.
FIVE CODES (ABHIGAM)
The five codes being (1) to discard things infested with living organisms (sachit), (2) to retain things free of living organisms (achit), (3) to place a one-piece shawl (uttariya) on shoulders, (4) to join palms the instant the religious leader is seen, and (5) to focus attention on him. After this the king went around Bhagavan three times, paid homage and obeisance, and commenced his threefold worship-physical, vocal and mental.
THREEFOLD WORSHIP
(1) Physical worship-With a desire to listen to religious sermon he looked at Bhagavan, bowed to him and sat down at proper place drawing in and folding his limbs and humbly joining his palms.
(2) Vocal worship-When Bhagavan uttered something he responded by saying in acquiescence-"Bhante! It is, indeed, so !"
3fquifanya
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