Jain Journal 1971 04

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

Page 31

220
Cakrin (Bharata). Blessed Rsabha Svamin attained emancipation here together with ten thousand sadhus... (Out of devotion) immediately after his nirvāṇa, Bharata erected here the shrine named Sinhanisadya, (and installed) the statue of Rsabha and that of twentythree future Arhats made of flawless precious stones. He had these statues dedicated by flying ascetics, and he erected burial mounds and statues of his brothers, Bahuvali and others. Bharata made around it eight steps because of which it was called Astapada."
JAIN JOURNAL
Saying with manifest joy "This belonged to our ancestors", the princes ascended the mountain with their retinues. They entered the shrine Sinhanisadya and bowed to the first Jinesvara from afar at the first sight of him. They bowed with equal devotion the statue of Ajita and to the statues of other Arhats.... Then the princes bathed the images of the holy Arhats with pure fragrant water. Some brought pitchers with water, some handed them over, some emptied them, and some received the empty ones. Some recited the bathing precept, some took cauris, and others took up golden incense-burners. Others threw the choicest incense in the incense-burners and some played musical instruments aloud.
Then Mount Astapada soon had double cascades from the falling fragrant water of the bath. (Then) they dried the jeweled images with downy soft new cloths. They anointed them with Gosirsa-sandal. They adorned the statues with variegated wreaths of flowers, divine jeweled ornaments and beautiful garments. They designed the eight auspicious things out of unbroken rice on boards in front of the statues of the Masters resembling the moon. Then they made the light-waving ceremony with divine camphor-unguent, and after they had worshipped, they set down the light vessel resembling the sun. After they have eulogized them with the Sakrastava, their hands folded submissively, they praised the Jinendras, Rsabha and others.
...(Then) bowing again to the holy Arhats, the sons of Sagara, delighted, descended from the temple. They honoured the pure burial mounds of Bharata's brothers, and then, after reflecting a little, Janhu said to his younger brothers :
"I think that a place equal to Astapada is to be found nowhere. Even though emancipated, Cakrin Bharata enjoys Bharataksetra remaining in the guise of a shrine on this mountain. This very shrine has been made by us if the protection of the shrine to be robbed by future men is arranged for. When the duhsama-period has begun, there