Jain Journal 1973 04

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

Page 67

APRIL, 1973
passions (kaṣāya), have old white garments; I, having passions, shall have reddish garments (kāṣāya). They give up the use of water which causes the destruction of many lives; I shall bathe and drink a moderate amount of water."
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Thus calculating in his mind for the sake of contriving an outfit, cowardly before austerities, Marici undertook mendicancy. All the people who saw him with this garb questioned him about dharma and he taught them the sadhu-dharma as taught by the Jina. Again asked by the people, "Why do you yourself not practise it ?" he said, "I am not able to bear the weight of Meru." However, he sent the bhavyas who were present, after they had been enlightened by instruction in dharma, to the Master, son of Nabhi (Risabha), as disciples.
With practice of this kind, Marici wandered with the Master and the Master stopped in a samavasarana again in Vinita. When he was questioned in it by Cakrin Bharata after paying homage to him, the Lord named the future Arhats, Cakrins, Visnus, Prativisnus, and Balas. Bharata asked again, "Is there any one here in the assembly who will be a Tirthakrit in this country of Bharata, like yourself, Lord ?" The Master showed him Marici and said: "This son of yours will be the last Tirthakrit, named Vira, here in Bharata. He will be the first Sarngabhrit (Vasudeva) here, named Tripristha, in the city Potana and will be the Cakrabhrit Priyamitra in the city Muka in the Videha."
When he had heard that, Bharata took leave of the Lord, went to Marici, circumambulated him three' times, saluted him respectfully, and said: "The Master said that you will be the last Arhat here in Bharata; the first Vasudeva, named Tripristha, Lord of Potana; and a Cakrin, named Priyamitra, in Muka in Videha. Your mendicancy is not to be honoured; you are honoured because you are a future Arhat."
When he had said this to him, the Cakravartin bowed again to the Master, reverent-minded, and entered the city Vinita, delighted.
When he had heard that, Marici jumped three steps three times from joy and said aloud :
"I shall be the first Visnu; in the city Muka there will be the rank of Cakravartin; I shall be the last Arhat. Enough of anything else for me. I shall be the first of Vasudevas; my father is the first of the Cakravartins; my grandfather is the first of the Tirthakrits. Oh! Indeed, my family is the highest."