________________
जैन मुनि
Stories Of The Sadhu
Jain Education International
di Jain Society of Greater Detroit
PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV JUNE 27-JULY 6 1998
BAPPABHATTISURI (V.S. 815)
Acharyashri sawa
saw a dream of Balkesari, a strong child, climbing a mountain in one leap. On the same day he came across the child Surpalak. The suriji requested his parents to offer their son to serve for the sangh. In memory of his father Bapp and his mother Bhatti the young muni was
named Bappbhatti. After seeing the powers of his VOW of celibacy, Sarasvatiji bestowed him with blessings of success. Within eleven years he was made an acharya. He made peace between the feuding Aamraja and Dharmaraja. The suriji was a well-known poet and also wrote on the subject of the sensual passions. Suspecting him to be of a loose character, one day Aamraja sent a beautiful courtesan to the upashraya in the disguise of a
male. The woman started massaging his feet. The suriji, knowing of the plan, compared that touch to that of a mother's and foiled the plan. Seeing the strength of his vow of celibacy of the suriji, the king Aamraja bestowed him with the title of "Balbrahmchari Gajavar" (the one who is celibate from birth onwards). Suriji was also an art lover. He supported the work of one painter by installing his paintings of tirthankars in Kanoj, Mathura Anhipur and Satarpur and praising his work. The suriji also inspired many people to build temples and protected Girnar. His contribution to Jain literature is also noteworthy.
94
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
