________________
15 See Mahavir (pp 26, 27) a publication of Shree Vallabh Suri Smarak Nidhi 16 Amavasya The eve of the New Year's Day ac cording to the Vikram era beginning B C 56-57 It is the anniversary of the passing away of and attaining Nirvan by Mahavin
Eighteen Kings were gathered there to attend a conference These Kings did come to hear the last sermon of Lord Mahavir and they were present when He passed away They assisted in the illumination of lights after His passing away It is interesting to note that Drwalı, the great feast of lights, has begun from this immemorable night to celebrate in a material form the Light of Divine Knowledge which He left behind 17 One peculiarity of the Shraman order is that the Sadhus stay at one place during the whole of the rainy season The rains give birth to insects and worms The sadhus are therefore cautious, they want to avoid killing even the small creatures They do not undertake long journeys during Chaturmasthe four months of the rainy season The feast of Paryushan falls in this season 18 The Sadhus cannot touch a female Ch However did not stick to the Rule when he saved a number of females from Are
Vasaxep is a powder, poundel of sandal wood, saftron etc It is believed that Mahavir himself bless
57
