Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 48

148
JAIN JOURNAL
as a king and as an ascetic. Bahubali entered into nirvāna on Mount Kailasa even before his father Rsabhadeva. He was the first Siddha. When one remembers his life one cannot but feel a divine sanctity in his heart. His long austerities had no parallel in history. For years together he remained deep in meditation. Creepers grew all along his body, snakes made their pits below his feet and began to live there in great comfort. He never cared for summer and winter. Cakravarti Bharata had got erected during his life time a beautiful and lifelike image of Bahubali in kāyotsarga pose somewhere in Podanapura which must be there even now. A long period had elapsed since then but it must be lying hidden somewhere--who knows ?"
After this the Acarya changed his topic and the audience remained spell bound hearing his nectar-like sermon.
The valiant Camundarai was seated on his bed in deep thought. On the walls of his bedroom were mural paintings of natural scenery. Small lamps were burning here and there. Moonlight was peeping through the windows and ventilators. The light of the lamps and that of the moon gave a different kinds of hue to the interior of his room. Near his bed there was a golden throne. On that throne was seated Ajitadevi, the beautiful and soft spoken wife of Camundarai. The chain of Camundarai's thoughts was broken by Ajitadevi,
“My lord ! Mother seems to be in distress after coming from the sermon."
Camundarai replied casually,
“My dear, what co-relation could there be between todays sermon and my mother's distress ? Come, let us now rest. Tomorrow morning I will go to see her and have her blessings."
Next day Camundarai went to his mother. She was still more grave and distressed. Camundarai bowed at her feet. She gave her blessings and said,
“My son, I feel a keen desire to visit Podanapura and look at the image of Lord Gommatesvara. The Acarya in his evening sermon referred to this image. Life will remain barren unless I see the image."
The Acarya in his evening sermon
Camundarai replied very politely,