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Jain Society of Greater Detroit PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV ASHADH 4-12 V.S. 2054
HEMCHANDRACHARYA
(V.S. 1145-1229) scripture of Jain history
Pahini was in the temple worshipping, 4-year old Changdev went to the upashraya next door and sat on the acharya's seat. The guru said, “This child is going to become an acharya" and reminded the mother about seeing "ratnachintamani" (a jewel that gives one whatever one wants) in a dream. At 5 years of age Changdev became Somachandrasadhu. He prayed to Sarasvati Devi who blessed him to become “Sidha Saarasvat" (you have won over Sarasvati) who was then there whenever he need her. He once went to a poor man's house for bhiksha with his guru. He saw a heap of garbage as being a heap of gold and knowing this the sheth made him sit on the heap, which turned into gold. And so the guru named him Hemchandaracharya. Suriji wrote "Siddha-Hem grammar", a Sanskrit grammar book at the request of King Sidhraj. The book was placed on a palanquin on the back of an elephant in a procession led by the king. The suriji wrote innumerable books. He once hid Kumarpal in the basement from King Sidharaj. When Kumarpal became the king he was inspired to make the "no killing proclamation" by the suriji. The suriji's name is written in gold in the history of Gujarat.
Stories Of The Sadhu
97
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