________________
The Kurkut serpent killed hundreds of thousand creatures with his poisonous fangs and went to the fifth hell after death.
With forgiveness an animal became a god. With anger a man became a serpent and ended up in hell. KIRANVEG AND THE SERPENT
After completing the life-span of eighth heaven, the soul that was Marubhuti reincarnated as a prince. The king celebrated the birth of his son. The queen said—“The face of our sun is more radiant than the sun rays. Therefore we will name him Kiranveg (as radiant as rays)."
Kiranveg went to school for education. He mastered many subjects and skills. He got married to a beautiful princess. Finally he became the king.
Once an acharya named Surguru came to the city. King Kiranveg went to attend his discourse. The acharya preached—“You have been born as human beings due to noble deeds in your past birth. For the same reason you have acquired all these means of pleasure. If you do not indulge in noble deeds here what will you get during the next birth ?"
The acharya added—“People think that everything can be acquired through wealth, power and wisdom. Where is the need of religion ? But think what begets wealth, power and wisdom?"
The acharya himself answered—“It is religion. Austerities, chanting, charity, pilgrimage and other such noble deeds result in acquisition of the said three. And all these activities are possible only as human beings. Austerities, chanting, and charity can only be done by human beings and not by divine beings."
After listening to the sermon the king got initiated. After studying scriptures ascetic Kiranveg moved about observing various harsh austerities.
Once the ascetic thought—'There are eternal images of Arihants in Pushkaravar continent. Paying homage to them brings great boon.'
With his special powers the ascetic came to Pushkaravar continent. He paid homage and obeisance to the eternal images of Jinas. With reverence he sang songs of devotion for Arihants.
After this he thought—'Now I should go to Vaitadhya hill and do kayotsarg (to meditate dissociating oneself from the body).
He then came to Vaitadhya hill. He stood in meditation in the kayotsarg posture. Many years went by. In winter, summer and monsoon the ascetic stood still, like a statue, in meditation.
Kurkut serpent had taken birth as an infernal being. From there he was reborn as a terrifying poisonous snake on the very same hill. One day when that snake saw the
14 Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
BHAGAVAN PARSHVA NAATH
www.jainelibrary.org
