Jain Journal 1971 04

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

Page 34

The Burning of Dvaraka and the Death of Krsna
Neminātha Caritra, Trişaşțišalākāpuruşa Caritra
One day at the end of a sermon Janardana, humble-minded, bowed to Neminatha, his hands folded respectfully, and asked: "How will the destruction of Dvaraka, of the Yadus, and of myself take place ? Made by others for some reason or by themselves in course of time?"
The Blessed One said: "In a hermitage outside Sauryapura there was a well-known leading ascetic, named Parasara. He went to an island in the Yamuna and enjoyed a girl of low family ; and a son was born to them named Dvaipayana. A mendicant, a celibate, self-controlled, living there from friendship for the Yadus, he will be attacked by Samba and others blind from wine. Angry, he will burn the city Dvaraka with the Yadus. Your death will take place at the hand of your brother, Jarakumara.”
"He, alas! is a coal to the family," with this impure thought in their hearts, Jarakumara was looked at by all the Yadus. Thinking : “Why should I, the son of Vasudeva, be the murderer of my brother ? I will try by all means to make that false," Jara's son got up, bowed to Nemi and, carrying two quivers and a bow, took up a residence in the forest to protect Krsna. Dvaipayana heard the Lord's prediction from the people's talk and became a forest-dweller to protect Dvaraka and the Yadus.
Krsna bowed to the Master, entered Dvaraka and, with the thought, “This calamity would originate from wine," prohibited wine. At