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

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Page 66
________________ 1. Ganadhar Shubhadatt (Shubha), 2. Arya Haridatt, 3. Acharya Samudra Suri and 4. Arya Keshi Shraman. The period of Arya Keshi Shraman is believed to be 166 to 250 years after the nirvana of Bhagavan Parshva Naath. He was a highly influential acharya. He had organized a large congregation of his ascetic organization. Emphasizing on the duties of ascetics, Arya Keshi Shraman had said—“Shramans! The time has come that you pursue the goal for which you had renounced the world. Only selfless sages like you have accomplished and will accomplish the salvation of the world. Therefore get ready to work for the spread of religion." After listening to this discourse patiently, all ascetics agreed—“Master ! We are ready to work for the spread of religion exactly as per your directions." Arya Keshi Shraman made nine groups of ascetics according to their abilities and instructed them to wander around in different remote areas. 1. Vaikunthacharya with 500 ascetics was sent to Tailang area. 2. Kilikaputracharya with 500 ascetics was sent to South Maharashtra area. 3. Gargacharya with 500 ascetics was sent to Sindhu-Sauvira area. Yavaacharya with 500 ascetics was sent to Kashi-Kaushal area. 5. Arhannacharya with 500 ascetics was sent to Anga-Banga-Kalinga area. 6. Kashyapacharya with 500 ascetics was sent to Shaurasen (Mathura) area. 7. Shivacharya with 500 ascetics was sent to Avanti area. 8. Palakacharya with 500 ascetics was sent to Konkan area. 9. He himself wandered around with one thousand ascetics in the Magadh area and worked for spread of religion through regular discourses. With his preaching he attracted the following rulers towards Jainism, (1) King Chetak of Vaishali, (2) King Prasenjit of Rajagriha, (3) King Dadhivahan of Champa, (4) King Siddhartha of Kshatriyakund, (5) King Shuddodhan of Kapilavastu, (6) King Vijayasen of Polasapur, (7) King Chandrapal of Saketpur, (8) King Adinashatru of Shravasti, (9) King Dharmasheel of Kanchanpur, (10) King Jayaketu of Kampilapur, (11) King Shataneek of Kaushambi, (12) King Balabhadra of Sugriva city, (13) Kings of eighteen republics in Kashi-Kaushal area, and (14) King Pradeshi of Shvetambika city. Keshi Shraman of the lineage of Bhagavan Parshva Naath and Indrabhuti Gautam, the first Ganadhar of Bhagavan Mahavir met in the Tandukavan garden of Shravasti. According to the 23rd chapter of Uttaradhyayan Sutra, after his discussion with Gautam, Keshi Shraman accepted five great vows, joined Bhagavan Mahavir's order for spiritual practices and attained liberation. 64 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only BHAGAVAN PARSHVA NAATH www.jainelibrary.org

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