Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 16

attained Mok a in this birth only.
Doubt 4:
The fourth doubt is about the acquisition of Str -N ma Karma by monk Mah bala. In Volume 1, in the chapter of Lord Mallin tha, while introducing the p rvabhava, it was written in page 126 as follows: “By performing such deceitful austerities, he acquired the Karma bondage that would result in being born as a woman (Str -veda). Further due to his severe austerities on twenty reflections, he earned the T rthamkara-N ma- Karma.
Here the doubt arises whether the i va of Lord Mallin tha in his third birth (in the birth as Mah bala), acquired Str - N ma Karma after acquiring T rthamkara N ma Karma or prior to it.
Clarification:
If one properly analyses the original part related to it in Jta Dharma Kath mga, this doubt will be easily clarified as it is self-explanatory. In the original it is clearly written that King Mah bala along with his six childhood friends took initiation in rama a Dharma, studied eleven limbs scriptures (Ek da mg) and travelled around, performing various tapas and sanctifying the soul. One day the seven saints had interacted among themselves and took a pledge that they would all perform similar type of tapas, together. As per their vow, they used to perform similar tapas like fasting (Upay sa) etc. But before he became monk (Anag ra), Mah bala was a leader (Adhin yaka) while his six friends were followers (Adhinasta). Hence, Mah bala had a strong desire to be above the ordinary, to have a distinctive personality much above his friends. To fulfill this inner desire, Mah bala, against the vow they all took, had deceitfully performed special tapa, different (superior) from his other six monk-friends. As a result, his spiritual awakening (Samyakatva) became impure. My (deceit) is the mother of Str N ma Karma; hence Mah bala acquired Str -N ma Karma (Str -Veda).
16