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gifts, honoured the emissary and asked about the glory of Ayodhya. The emissary informed him in details about the glory of Ayodhya and also about Bhagavana Ṛṣabhadeva. The story of Bhagavāna Rṣabhadeva triggered his thought process "Blessed is Bhagavāna Rṣabhadeva who pursued the path of purity of the self and attained the status of Siddha. And here I am, still caught in a dilemma. Now I should not hesitate even for a second and proceed on the path of beatitude of the self."
His contemplation went on and one day he sought permission from his parents and family members and renounced the kingdom to proceed to Asvavana (jungles of Ahicchatra). Followed by a large crowd he stopped and sat on a rock. He discarding his clothes and ornaments, puled out his hair, uttered Om Namo Siddhebhyaḥ and commenced his meditation.
TERRIBLE AFFLICTION BY SAṀVARA DIETY
Wandering around for four months Bhagavāna once again came into the same jungle. He took a resolution and sat down to meditate for a duration of seven days. Around that time Samvara god was going some place. Flying over that area his celestial vehicle suddenly stopped. With the help of his avadhi jñāna (extrasensory perception of the physical dimension) he saw Parśvanatha meditating. His feeling of revenge inherited from earlier birth made him angry. With his divine powers he launched terrible afflictions. He caused cloudburst, hail storm, and rock-storm. Transforming him-self into a variety of horrifying apparitions he tried to terrorize Parsvanatha. Turning into a beautiful woman he tried to disturb Parsvanatha's meditation. He made every effort to cause pain to Parsvanatha but that serene, brave and accomplished yogi could not be disturbed. With complete dissociation from his body he was involved solely in his inner bliss. That diety continued his afflictions for seven days.
Then the throne of Dharanendra and Padmavatī shook. With their avadhi jñāna they saw Samvara god causing these afflictions on their benefactor Bhagavāna. They at once arrived at that spot. Dharaṇendra saw the scene of a deluge and rocks strewn all around. He transformed him-self into a large serpent and raised Bhagavāna above the water level. Raising his seven hoods he created a canopy over Bhagavāna's
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