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Kalpavatansika-Upang-9- Chapter-1 Once Padmavati Devi was sleeping in her royal bedroom which was beautifully decorated with a variety of paintings. During the night, while comfortably sleeping, she woke up after seeing a lion in her dream. In due course she gave birth to a son. His birth was celebrated like that of Mahabal. It was announced "As this child is the son of Kaal Kumar and Padmavati, he should be named Padma." Thus the boy was given this name. All other details should be taken exactly as those in case of Mahabal; that is:
He was brought up in regal grandeur and was sent to a teacher where he learned seventy two arts. When he grew mature he was married to eight princesses and his parents gave him marriage gifts in sets of eight. Padma Kumar lived in the upper portion of a grand mansion and enjoyed all comforts of life.
Once the samavasaran (religious assembly) of Bhagavan Mahavir was held in Champa city. People came to attend the discourse. King Kunik also came to pay his homage. Like Mahabal, Padma Kumar also came to pay homage and obeisance. Like Mahabal, Padma Kumar (on listening to the sermon) also sought permission from his parents and got initiated,... and so on up to... and wandered around after becoming a completely celibate anagaar (ascetic). [Story of Mahabal since his birth is in Bhagavati Sutra]
After getting initiated by Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir, that ascetic Padma studied all the eleven Angas (canons) including Samayik from the senior ascetics... and so on up to... he wandered around enriching his soul by observing various austerities including one, two, and three day fasts.
As Megh Kumar (JnataDharmakatha Sutra,) resolved to none ahead on the spiritual path by observing serial fasts so did Padma. After seeking permission from Bhagavan Mahavir he climbed the Vipul-giri hill and commenced his spiritual accent by observing padopagaman anashan (lifelong fasting keeping the body motionless like a fallen tree). Due to these rigorous austerities his body got extremely weak and emaciated and he was reduced to a mere skeleton.
After studying all the eleven Angas (canons) including Samayik from the senior ascetics he immaculately observed the ascetic code for five years. After that he took the ultimate vow (sallekhana) of one month duration and met his end at the conclusion of the month long fast (avoiding sixty meals). When senior ascetics accompanying him saw that he was dead they came and placed his ascetic equipment before Bhagavan.
Then Gautam Swami asked about the future of ascetic Padma. Bhagavan Mahavir replied, "Gautam ! This ascetic Padma, after rejecting sixty meals (doing a month long fast) and doing pratikraman (critical review), has met his end. His soul has gone beyond Jyotishk Vimans (the stellar celestial vehicles) including the moon and has taken birth as a god in the Saudharma kalp (a dimension of gods). His life span there is two Sagaropam."
Gautam Swami again asked, "Bhagavan ! completing the age, state, and life of the dimension of gods and descending from there, where will god Padma be born ?"
Bhagavan said, "Gautam ! He will be born as a human being in the Mahavideh area and terminate the cycles of rebirth like Dradhapratijna."
Sudharma Swami told Jambu, "Jambu ! Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir, who has attained nirvana, has narrated this text and meaning of the first chapter of Kalpavatansika. As I have heard from him and so I state."
Chapter -1 - Compiled by Muni DeepratnaSagar is finished
Aagam - 20 - Kalpavatansikaka
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
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