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the uncle of Krishna. Sivadevi gave birth to Neminatha (Painting No. 73) After his birth Neminatha was taken for the celestrial bath and was taken back to the city, where he was named (painting No. 74)
Krishna gave up his kingdom to Neminatha to look after untill his return. Then Krishna fought with Jarasandha and was praised as Chakravartin by the devas, Vidhyadhara, and the kings of the other world (painting No. 76) After the victory over with Satyabhama the wife of Krishna in Jelakita, Neminatha looks Trivikrama and below counch in his feet as the world pleasure. (painting No. 77). Neminatha's marriage was fixed with Ratrimati, the daughter of Ugrasena and Jayavati. Neminatha was taken in procession to the marriage hall (painting No. 78), where Neminath's announcement of renunciation. Neminatha attains nirvana and was taken to Sahasramravana by a palanquin, called Devaguru (painting No. 80 & 81). Again after his severe penance, he accepted the food offerings of Varadatta, the king of Dwaravati (painting No. 82). Then he went to forest and attained kevelignana, with attitude of samparyanka in the samavasarana which was created by the devas.
THE STORY OF VARDHAMANA
The story of Mahavir is also painted on the ceiling of the sankitamandapa of Tiruparuttikuram Jain temple. In this, Priyakarini, the queen of Sidhardha narrated her dream to her husband (painting No. 38). Vardhamana was taken to Janmabhisheka after his birth by a procession to Mahameru (painting No. 39-40). The devas participated in this procession with the flags and musical party (photo No. 9) (painting Nos. 41 and 42). Vardhamana was given bath with the celestrial waters brought from the kshirabhu (ocean of milk), while Vardhamana was sitting on the simhasana (in the cross for photo No. 10). He was taken back to Kundapura by an elephant, Airvatha (painting No. 43 & 44) Sangama a deva tested his strength (painting No. 45). Vardhamana went forest to diksha on hearing the address of the Laukantikadevas by a palanquin (photo No. 11) (painting No. 46). He took initiation and plucking out his hair by his own right hand and took penance for six months (painting No. 47). After that, he went to the village called Kulagrama and accepted the food offered by the king of Kulagrama (painting No. 48). He attained kevelgnana and was worshipped by the devas of Gandhakuti, a part of samavasarana. The procession of Ananda by Garuda, Sukra by swan, and other devas, riding on the buffalo, horse, khadgo (rhinoceros), Makara, elephant, tiger and deer with the flags and the celestrial damsels with ashtamangalas, the Bhavanavasi dvas and other six damsels to the samavasarana (painting Nos. 49-55) The materials of honour such as flowers, lamps, kudavilakku and kalasas, are
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Arhat Vacana, October 2000
