Jain Journal 1978 07

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

Page 42

JULY, 1978
him one thousand cows and much wealth including garments, blankets perfumes, sandal-paste and camphor. But Jinaprabha Suri declined all these on the plea that such royal gifts were not fit for a sādhu. later he took a few garments and blankets, and entered into discussion with the learned men at the royal court.23
"The discussion over, the emperor sent for a couple of best elephants, one of which was mounted by Jinaprabha Suri and the other one by Jinadeva. Acarya. In this state they proceeded to the posaśālā24 attended by drummers, conch-blowers and players on musical instruments---Mşdanga, kansala, dhola, mārdala—and amidst a throng of the reciters and the Sangha. As soon as the processionists entered the posaśālā a Jain ceremony was performed and many gifts were distributed.25
'Afterwards the emperor (Patasahina) issued a firman guaranteeing protection to the Svetambara Jains at the time of rebellions throughout the empire. Then he released many captives.
'Later, the Guru went to the royal palace on Monday while it was raining. The emperor (Surattana) met him. Then Malik Kafur 26 (Malikka-Kaphur) brought a piece of silk which he gave as a royal gift to Jinaprabha Suri who, after blessing the emperor, recited some verses in his praise. The emperor was highly pleased and the Guru seized the favourable opportunity, thus created, to ask back the image of Mahavira. The emperor favoured him with the desired image. It was brought out of the treasure house of Tughluqabad and handed over to him in the open court. Subsequently the image was installed in Malik Taj-din-serai 27 with great eclat.
'Jinaprabha Suri having then prepared to leave for Maharashtra, his disciple Jinadeva Suri was put in charge of the Jain centre of activities at Dhilli-mandala. On the eve of his departure the emperor
28 J.P.S., Vividha-tirtha-kalpa, Pt. I (Santiniketan) pp. 45-46. 24 Posa-sala literally means maintencane house or lodge. 25 J.P.S.B., p. 33. 26 Malik Kafur, muhardar (keeper of the seal) had been killed under the order of
Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughluq. The man here mentioned may be identified
with Malik Kafur Lang, mentioned by Barani (T.F.S., p. 455). 37 The image was taken from Tughluqabad to Jahanpanah and installed there at
the Taj-din-serai where was also built a Jain monastery (called Sultan-serai after the Sultan) as well as a Jain temple.
Vide Jhavary, M.B.D., Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrasastra, pp. 229-230.