Jain Journal 1971 04

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

Page 44

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JAIN JOURNAL
contrariety of omens is praised, and in distress of the kingdom, the case of danger on pilgrimages to holy places is similar. Send some clever man to the place where that Durga became visible, and let the exact spot be pointed out.” That was done, and the man brought the following report, “Where that portico was being rebuilt, the goddess was sitting on the heap numbered thirteen and a half.” Then that Maruvrddha said, “The goddess told you that you should perform thirteen pilgrimages and a half.” When he was again asked as to the meaning of the last half pilgrimage, he said, “On a matchlessly auspicious occasion like the present, it is not fitting to speak of that ; when the suitable occasion presents itself, I will explain the whole matter.” After Maruvrddha had said this, the minister marched on with the whole worshipful congregation. Taking the conveyances altogether, there were four thousand and five hundred of them. There were twentyone thousand Svetambaras and three hundred Diagambaras. There were appointed to guard the congregation a thousand horsemen, and seven hundred riders on red she-camels, and four military officers of high rank were entrusted with the superintendence of the protection of the congregation. In this fashion, having traversed the road with the whole assemblage, he encamped in Padaliptapura, which he had himself caused to be built in the neighbourhood of Lalitasarasa, which was adorned with a caitya of Mahavira. There he duly worshipped the holy places, and in the principal temple he set up a golden finial, and a couple of fullsized Jinas; in the holy bathing-place of the city of Srimodhera two figures adoring the caitya of the blessed Mahavira; in the Sakunikavihara, on both sides of the row of vestibules belonging to the chapels, a series of double courtyards ; in the holy bathing-place of Satyapura in front of the caitya, an arch of the value of silver, and cells suitable for the worshipful congregation, and chapels in memory of his seven sisters; in the holy bathing place of Nandvisvara, temples and a vestibule of Indra; in the midst of them the statues of Lavanaprasada and Viradhavala mounted on elephants, and his own statue on horseback ; in the same place seven statues of his forefathers, and seven statues of spiritual guides ; in a courtyard near, the statues of his two elder brothers the great ministers Malavadeva and Luniga in the attitude of worship ; certain gate-towers, the reservoir of Anupama; a vestibule and arch dedicated to the Yaksa Kapardin, and many other pious constructions, in honour of the Jaina faith. Then for the construction of the Nandisvara temple, sixteen excellent pillars of Kantheliya stone were being brought by water from the mountain and when they were being landed near the sea, one pillar sank into the mud in such a way that, though diligently searched for, it was not recovered. A pillar of different kind of stone was substituted in its place, and the temple was fully completed according to the size designed. During