Hemchandracharya Diwakar Chitrakatha 040

Author(s): Nityanandsuri, Chidanandmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 15

KALIKALA SARVAJNA HEM CHANDRACHARYA Suddenly with a divine glow a goddess appeared. Both the ascetics looked agape. The goddess said -
I am the protecting goddess of the order. Your lofty merits have caused me to bring you here.
This is the place of nirvana of Bhagavan Neminath. I will give you some divine mantras and herbs. You should memorize these. Using these you will be able to work for the promotion of
Jain religion and also protect the devotees.
The goddess gave mantras to the two ascetics. Muni Somachandra practiced and became accomplished in their use. But Devendra Suri forgot after some days. They then returned to Patan.
One day Acharyashri invited the Patan Sangh (religious organi- zation) and said -
An imposing person like Muni Somachandra can achieve great success in
popularizing the Jain religion. I want to award him the status of acharya
Certainly Gurudev. It
is a brilliant idea.
The Jain Sangh organized the investiture ceremony. In the presJence of thousands of devotees Acharyashri Devachandra Suri announce
Muni Somachandra has a pure glow like the moon and like gold (hem) he enhances the glory of the Jain order. Therefore, since this day I pronounce that Muni Somachandra be called
Acharya Hem-chandra.
Thousands of Voices uttered in unison - May the new acharya Shri Hem-chandra Suri be victorious!
(Vaishakh Shukla 3rd, 1166 V.]
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