ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 225

a younger brother Bīradamana who was exactly opposite of Aridamana in nature and was a source of continuous worry to Aridamana.
On a fateful night of lunar eclipse, Kind Aridamana called his son to his bedroom and gave a sermon bout Jain doctrine (Karma and its significance, Ahiṁsā paramo dharmaḥ and Live and let live etc). He told his son that he has to go as a result of his karmas leaving his empire in his (son) hand and guidance of his wife Kundanaprabha. However he was worried about his younger brother and cautioned his son about him. He then died leaving everything to his adolescent son Śrīpāla.
Death of king Aridamana brought a strong feeling of detachment from worldly affairs in Śrīpāla's mind. He started going to Jain monks to learn about its karma doctrine and path of spiritual purification and lead a life of a sage. Worried, his mother wrote a letter to King of Ujjaini in Malwa district, Pahupāla, who was a childhood friend of Aridamana and sought his advice to bring back Śrīpāla back to normalcy and rule the kingdom. As per his advice Kundanaprabhā asked her son Shripal to proceed to Ujjaini along with 700 soldiers to learn the intricacies of kingship.
Obeying his mother, Śrīpāla left for Ujjaini with his soldiers. He was extremely handsome and charismatic. On the way, he met a learned Jain monk to him and seeks his blessings. The monk told Śrīpāla that he is a very auspicious person, destined to rule the world and ultimately attain salvation in this life. However his path to salvation is full of difficulties which he will overcome through strenuous efforts and belief in himself. In the congregation, younger daughter of Pahupāla, Maināsundarī was also there. She was also very beautiful, virtuous religious and firm believer in Jain doctrine. When both Śrīpāla and Maināsundari saw each other, they realized that they were made for each other (through their remembrances of past lives). Then Śrīpāla and his soldiers left for Ujjaini.
On arrival at Ujjaini, King Pahupāla accorded a royal welcome to Srīpāla and introduced him to his wife queen Nipunasundarī and daughters Surasundari (elder and with bad character) and Maināsundari (younger). Pahupāla offered his guidance and assistance to Śrīpāla to rule Campā. Also Srīpāla and Maināsundarī started liking each other and solemnized to be married after return of Srīpāla to his kingdom Campānagarī.
While prince Śrīpāla and his 700 soldiers were returning to Campānagarī, somehow they all contracted leprosy. Their bodies were full of oozing spots and emitting foul odour. When they
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