Jain Journal 1981 07

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

Page 21

JULY, 1981
15
right path by them. After thinking this Svayambuddha preached him dharma. He refuted the non-existence of rebirth held by Sambhinnamati, statement of kşaņikavāda of Satamati and the doctrine of māyā of Mahamati. Mahabala got enlightened. He installed his son in his place and joined the ascetic order. He died after fasting for twenty-two days.
On the termination of the earthly life Mahabala's soul was born as Lalitanga" god in the Sriprabha palace of Isana heaven. There, he enjoyed celestial pleasures with a goddess Svayamprabha. After a long time she expired. Lalitanga swooned with grief at Svayamprabha's death. When he had regained consciousness, he immediately began to wail. Svayambuddha, his minister of past life, also became a Samanika god in the Isana heaven. He came and consoled Lalitanga, searched for his wife by clairvoyance and told him the whole story of her life (The story of Nirnamika). Again she was born as his wife Svayamprabha. When some time had passed in enjoyment with her, the signs of approaching death appeared on his body. Then at the command of his Master he set out with his wife to the Nandisavara Tirtha. He went to Nandisvara and worshipped the eternal statues of the Arhats. As he was going to other Tirthas he died.
On the termination of celestial life Lalitanga was born as the son to king Suvarnajangha. He was named Vajrajangha. In a short time Svayamprabha's soul, also, descended from heaven and took birth as the daughter, named Srimati, of the Cakravartin Vajrasena. Being brought up by the nurses, they grew up gradually.
One day, Srimati ascended the high palace named Sarvatobhadra for amusement. In a beautiful garden she saw the gods coming to Muni Susthita who had obtained omniscience. “Where have I seen this before ?"' contemplating thus she recalled her past life. At once she fell on the ground and swooned. After she had regained consciousness she got up and reflected as follows : "Lalitanga was my husband in the previous life. Where has he descended now ? Ignorance of this grieves me. He is the Lord of my life. If there is no opportunity of conversing with him what use is there in talking to anyone else ?”' And she took a vow of silence. One day Srimati had gone to the pleasure-garden, and her nurse Pandita, seized a favourable opportunity and requested her to tell the reason of taking to silence. Then she gave Pandita an exact account of her past life. Having represented Srimati's story on a canvas
Ibid., 1.1.460-623. & Ibid., 1.1.624-715.