________________
Returning from the inner quarters, the king called his minister and said "Free all the prisoners from the prison. Announce a twelve day festival in Kashi state. Festivities should continue in the whole city for twelve days."
The treasury was opened for charities. The poor were given free food-grains, clothes and food. Aged slaves were freed from slavery. Thus relieved of all pain of poverty, humility and bondage, all citizens joined festivities. People talked blissfully "Some great soul, who will emancipate the world from pain and torments, has incarnated.
In the feast for relatives the king announced "During the pregnancy a serpent moved past the mother's flank (parshva). Therefore we will call this boy Parshva Kumar."
The old ladies of the family commented on seeing the divine blue complexion of the child-"He is as attractive as the blue lotus."
Another one said "See the bluish aura of his body. It is like gem sapphire."
Parshva Kumar grew like the growing orb of the moon.
When Parshva Kumar was eight years old his father thought-'He should now be educated like a Kshatriya boy. Next day the head of the school was called "Revered acharya ! This boy should be given an alround education and taught all subjects."
The acharya "Sire ! He is a scholar by birth. What can I teach him?"
The acharya himself learned many new facets
of knowledge from Parshva Kumar. When the Tirthankar
descended into the womb of his mother he was already endowed with Mati, Shrut and Avadhi jnana (sensory, scriptural and extra-sensory knowledge).
As a young man Parshva Kumar looked like Adonis. When nine cubits tall Parshva Kumar moved about in the city on horseback women commented"Whoever gets our Adonis-like Parshva Kumar as her husband would be a very fortunate lady."
36
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
new ab BHAGAVAN PARSHVA NAATH www.jainelibrary.or owl Vit
