Jain Journal 1981 07

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

Page 24

18
Then the Muni became well. Jivananda and his friends asked his forgiveness for any fault they might have committed and he went away elsewhere. They sold the remaining gosirsa-sandal and jeweled blanket and received gold. With that gold and gold of their own they built a lofty Jina temple. Worshipping the Jina they wore away time like karma. One day the six friends being disgusted with the world joined the ascetic order. Engaged in medition, they abandoned their bodies.
The souls of Jivananda and his five friends became Samanika1o gods in the Acyuta heaven. Then they took birth in succession as the five sons of king Vajrasena. Among them the soul of Jivananda was the eldest, named Vajranabha.11 The souls of Mahidhara, Subuddhi, Gunakara and Purnabhadra were named Bahu, Subahu, Pitha and Mahapitha respectively. The soul of Kesava became a Rajaput, namely Suyasa. The princes and Suyasa grew up gradually. Vajrasena installed on the throne Vajranabha, took to asceticism and obtained omniscience in due course. Vajranabha gave provinces to each one of his brothers. Suyasa became his charioteer. He conquered the entire province Puskalavati and was consecrated as Cakravartin. Although he was enjoying pleasures, still his inclination toward religion increased very much, and gradually became very strong. One day, Lord Vajrasena came there in his wanderings. He delivered a sermon in the samavasarana. King Vajranabha went there with his brothers and listened to the sermon. Listening the speech, joyfully the king thought: "The boundless ocean of existence is hard to cross. My father is a guide across even it. Delusion makes men completely blind. The blessed one destroys delusion completely. The heap of karma is incurable like a powerful disease that has existed for a long time. My father is its healer. He alone is destoryer of all pains, the sole producer of happiness and an ocean of compassion. Since the Master is like that, alas! through negligence arising from delusion, we ourselves have deceived ourselves for so long a time." After reflecting thus he placed his son on the throne and adopted the saintly life. His brothers too joined the ascetic order with him. The charioteer Suyasa also became a mendicant. Vajranabha became completely acquainted with scriptures. Bahu and others learned the eleven Angas. Vajranabha acquired Tirthankara-nāmakarma by the twenty sthānankas (causes). The six having pure resolution undertook the pādapopagamana, a kind of voluntary death.
10 Ibid., 1-1. 789-790.
11 Ibid., 1-1.791-911.
JAIN JOURNAL