Book Title: Bhagvana Parshwanath Diwakar Chitrakatha 055 056
Author(s): Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

View full book text
Previous | Next

Page 56
________________ With his divine knowledge the Naag king saw-"Oh! My saviour and benefactor is this prince Parshva. Only through his influence I have become the king of Naag Kumar gods." The Naag king paid homage to prince Parshva from sky. The onlookers who witnessed this incident hailed prince Parshva. All around there were shouts of "Victory to prince Parshva! Victory of Dharma!" Fuming with anger, Kamath stood up-"Prince! You have interfered in my penance. Be prepared to suffer the consequences. I will take revenge." And he stomped moving towards the jungle. After indulging in a variety of pervert penances he died and reincarnated as an Asur god named Meghamali. After this incident prince Parshva's thoughts took a turn. He thought-Ignorance is casting a veil on religion. People are being mislead in the direction of violent ritual sacrifices (Yajna) and foolish penance. They should be shown the path of truth." He resolved to renounce the world and get initiated. Nine Lokantik gods came from Brahma Lok, the fifth heaven, and requested-"O Prabhu ! Your pious resolve will benefit the world. Please establish the religious ford." Prince Parshva commenced the year-long charity. He gave ten million eight hundred thousand gold coins in charity every day. Rich, poor, woman or man, whoever came at his door got what he desired. This way, during the year he donated three billion eight hundred eighty eight million gold coins. When the time of renunciation approached thousands of gods and kings assembled to celebrate the day of initiation. It was the second month and the third fortnight of the winter season. In the morning of the eleventh day of the dark half of the month of Paush he sat in a large palanquin. The palanquin was carried on shoulders by men in the front and gods in the rear. Thousands of men and women and innumerable gods were showering flowers. They took the palanquin to the Ashramapad garden. Prince Parshva took off his glittering cloths and ornaments. Shakrendra took them in a gem studded plate. After that Parshva pulled out his hair. Indra placed a divine cloth (a saffron-yellow scarf) on Bhagavan's body. Standing under a tree, Prabhu uttered salutations to the liberated souls-Namo Siddhanam-and took the vow "Since this moment I renounce all sinful deeds." Three hundred persons got initiated along with Bhagavan Parshva Naath. 54 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only BHAGAVAN PARSHVA NAATH www.jainelibra org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68