________________
Bhagawan Mahavir ]
[ 29
and the two opponents, when they heard these words from the mouth of their leader, were at once pacified. Not only this, they also felt the pricks of conscience for their fault. Chashushman was succeeded by his own son, Yashasvan, and Yashasvan in his turn by his own son Abhichandra. In the time of these patriarchs the form of punishment was changed a little. That form of chastisement which was in vogue up to this time was reserved mainly for ordinary offenders; while in the case of exceptional culpritls,a negative warning, viz., "Do not commit such faults in future” was added to the former. This standard of punishment remained till the time of Abhichandra, Chandrabha,Prasreni,and Marudeva. When Nabhi, the son of Marudeva, came to be selected as Head, the feelings of men got still more corrupted. They began to disregard even the usual injunctions. It was therefore, thought necessary that the old form of punishment should be made more strict. And hence, the word 'Fie' was added to it; only to prononnce 'fie upon you' together with the former order of punishment produced such a wonderful effect on the hearts of culprits that they were always on their guard not to commit another offence in their life. The punishment inflicted by the words 'fie upon you !' was regarded as much severe, unbearable and insulting as capital punishment or transportation for life is regarded today. The patriarch Nabhi lived in a forest beyond the land which is now called Kashmir. His wife was named Marudevi. Once, when she was lying in her bed, a certain god descended from Sarvarthesiddha heaven and entered into her womb in the latter part of the night. Marudedi saw fourteen dreams as well at that time. When the period of pregnancy was over,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
