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78. KARMA SHAH
olashah of Chittod was in deep agony. The glory and sanctity of the Shri Shatrunjaya Tirth that he used to worship everyday in the morning was being defiled at the hands of the foreigners. The moment Tolashah came to know that Ahmmad Sikandar, son of Mohmmad Begado, had damaged and destroyed 'derasar' and other idols of Shatrunjaya Tirth, he became restless. He felt greatly disturbed and determined to save the tirth from further defilement.
Tolashah's sixth and the youngest son Karmashah was a witness to his father's agony and he also began to contemplate as to when would he be able to undertake renovation of the place of pilgrimage and restore its sanctity. And it so happened that Acharya Ratnasinhsuri told Tolashah to forget his agony about the Shatrunjaya Tirth because his son was to fulfill that task. At that time Upadhyay Vinaymandan was frequently giving sermons to Karmashah about the Shatrunjaya Tirth. In the meantime, Acharya Shri Vijaydansuriji arrived at Chittod and he also inspired Karmashah to undertake this great task. In 1583, Bahadursha was made the Sultan of Gujarat. Prior to becoming the emperor of Gujarat, Bahadursha had enjoyed Tolashah's hospitality. On having a small quarrel with his father, Prince Bahadursha had come and stayed with Tolasha for some days and this had resulted in close friendship between Bahadursha and Karmashah. While going to Gujarat from Chittod, he asked for some money to meet the expenses on way and Karmashah gave him rupees one lakh unconditionally.
As Karmashah came to know about Bahadursha's installation as the Sultan of Gujarat, he came to Ahmedabad to pay a courtesy-call. The Sultan welcomed him with great respect and repaid Rupees one lakh that he had borrowed from him. Moreover he inquired if there was anything that he could do for him, since he was greatly obliged to Karmashah.
Karmashah told that it was his utmost desire to install an idol of his Lord at the Shri Shatrunjaya Tirth and in that he wanted the royal permission. The Sultan issued an order to that effect. From Ahmedabad Karmashah left for Cambay (Khambhat) and informed Upadhyay Shri Vinaymandanji about the incident and requested him to come to the Shatrunjaya Tirth. Karmashah led the shreesangh to Palitana. Khan Mazadkhan, the suba (governor of a province) of Sorath was unwilling that the glory of Shri Shatrunjaya Tirth be restored but his will did not prevail over the order of the Sultan.
Upadhyay Vinaymandanji came to Palitana together with an assemblage of monks and nuns. The work of renovation of the original jinprasad (Jain temple) was carried out; simultaneously the 'mammani' stone that was retained by chief minister Vastupal was dug out and an idol of Tirthankar Bhagwan Rushabhdev was carved from that special stone. Karmashah alongwith chha'Ri sangh (a congregation on pilgrimage practising six special vows) came to Palitana. A grand function was organised for the anjanshalaka (idol installation ceremony) of the 'jin pratima' which was defiled by Ahmmad Sikandar in past. This was replaced by the installation of a new idol of Bhagwan Rushabhadev. This was the sixteenth grand renovation function of Shri Shatrunjaya Tirth. It was attended by about 10 acharyas, including Acharya Somajaya.
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