________________
Poetical Biography of Śri Vijayadharma Sūri
205
at once met with general approval, being instantly adopted by numerous Jaina monks ( and even nuns ) of various orders and sects and the number of its imitators still increases from day-to-day.
Touring and Lecturing in Heterodox Countries
Finder of new paths in so many different respects, it is no wonder that the great Jainācārya also found new roads in the literal sense of the word, viz., with reference to his very walking tours. It had become an established custom that Svetāmbara Jaina monks did never extend their walking tours beyond the limits of sweet Gujarat with its vast population of devoted laymen and laywomen, and its multitudes of comfortable Upāśrayas, till venerable Munirāja Buteravji ( alias Buddhivijaya ) had also made Kathiawar ( and Punjab too ) accessible for Jaina monks. Since that time, the road between Ahmedabad, Cambay, Patan, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar formed their traditional march routes, following which they were always sure to find, without difficulty, food and shelter, and a circle of well-prepared and humble hearers of their ‘Vyākhyānas'. Vijaya Dharma Sūri, however, far-sighted and audacious, found the way beyond the traditional limit, to the proud and hostile Benares, the very central place of orthodox Hinduism begging his way, under unspeakable hardships, through a population, which had not the least idea about what a Jaina monk was and what his customs etc. were. And not only did he find his way to Benares but even to the very court and to the very heart of the ruler of that place, who many times paid his respects to the great Jaina Ācārya, after having once become aware of his spiritual eminence. Not only thus much, but he indeed made the haughty representatives of orthodox Hindu hierarchy bow to himself in sincere veneration, made them realize the beauties of his beloved Jaina religion, and even received, from their hands, the title of 'Šāstraviśārads Jainācārya'. After a fertile activity in Benares, he proceeded to Bihar Old Sacred Magadha, the country where the last Tīrthankara was born, initiated, where he wandered about preaching, and from where he went to salvation, but
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
