Jain Journal 1970 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 16

OCTOBER, 1970
all the gods reached with respect and joy and in great pomp his samavasarana in the town of Campa. With the assent of Indra, Padmasara (Manabhata) constructed the samavasaraṇa of Dharmanatha from where the Lord gave his sermon. After the sermon was over, on an inquiry from Padmaprabha (Lobhadeva) the reverend one explained that they all (five) were bhavyas and would easily attain enlightenment and get liberated in the fourth birth. They consulted together, realised the difficulty of mutual enlightenment, requested Padmakesara (Mohadatta) who was the last to leave heaven, to enlighten them. By way of memory clue, they all prepared their own images in precious stone, buried them at the spot where Padmacandra (Candasoma) was to be born as a lion in the forest and put a stone on it to mark out the spot.
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Padmaprabha (Lobhadeva) was reborn at Campa as Sagaradatta son of the banker Dhanadatta. Once with his self-respect pricked and his vanity tickled, he left home with a resolve to die in flames failing to earn seven crores within a year. He reached Jayasri on the southern shore, and worrying about his gains he came across a significant Malura tree with wealth beneath it. Guided by an anonymous voice, he took from there a handful of silver coins, won the favour, as well as the daughter, of a local merchant by his skill in salesmanship, and sailed to Yavanadvipa where he earned more than seven crores. But while returning, he lost everything due to ship-wreck. He touched alive Candradvipa where he saved a lonely maiden who was about to hang herself being frustrated in her love. Both of them tried, in a mood of despair, to enter flames which were turned into lotuses. God Padmakesara (Mohadatta) rebuked him for his cowardly attempt, reminded him of his responsibility, gave him twentyone crores of coins, married him to both the girls, and reached him to Campa. In due course, Sagaradatta accepted dikṣā under Dhanadatta. Then turning to Kuvalayacandra, the monk said, I am Sagaradatta. Practising austerities, I gradually acquired claiorvoyance. Then I could visualise the career of my four colleagues : Padmacandra (Candasoma) who was born as a lion in the Vindhyas, Padmasara (Manabhata) who was born as prince Kuvalayacandra, son of Drdhavarmana, king of Ayodhya and Padmavara (Mayaditya) who was born as princess Kuvalayamala, the daughter of king Mahasena of Vijaya in the South. Our mutual promise to bestow samyaktva was recollected. God Padmakesara conferred with me, and we planned to enlighten the rest. So I reached the spot where the lion (Candasoma) dwelt. God Padmakesara possessed your horse and brought and left you here in a mood of frustration. That was how you happened to be here; and you could see here the counterparts of the four in precious stones which should serve as mementos. Hearing