Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 33

Sajan the Governor
MUNI BHADRAGUPTA VIJAY
Sajan, the Governor of Saurastra, was on a pilgrimage to holy Mt. Girnara. His eyes were full of joy when he saw the image of Lord Neminatha, but he felt remorse at the same time when he saw the dilapidated condition of the temple. He felt as if the time-worn building of the temple was rebuking him in a silent voice,
“Sajan, being infatuated by your position as governor of Siddharaja, you have forgotten the Lord. The voice of your heart remains ever ignored. You are forgetting something."
“Yes I am forgetting something. I am the governor of Saurastra and still the temple of the Lord is in such a wretched condition !”
The sun was in the middle of the sky. And the governor was about to decend the mountain. But he was thinking all the time of the renovation of the temple. He must do it. But how ? The entire work could not be completed by his own wealth. He had not amassed so much wealth. But some one whispered—“Why not spend the 12500 crores of gold coins collected as revenue of the State ? Let the wealth of Saurastra be spent for the beautification of its Lord's temple.”
But another voice cautioned him. “Siddharaja, not you, is the king of the state. You are answerable to him. His wrath may make you a pauper."
The first voice again whispered, “Don't forget your sacred duty. What to speak of Siddharaja, even the world's most despotic power cannot harm a devotee of Lord Neminatha. Give concrete form to your desire of the renovation of the temple.”
So Sajan decided to spend all that 12500 crores of gold coins for the renovation and the work proceeded with great speed in the hands of the expert workers and artists.
Word spread as if on wings. The story of the renovation of Girnar temple was on the lips of all the people in Saurastra.