Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 174

Using his knowledge the crya instantly understood what had happened. Assuring them, the c rya said, “Children! Return to the temple and now see; you will find your brother sitting there and not the lion. In fact, the lion is none other than your brother”.
The sisters once again went to the temple and were overjoyed to see their brother in place of the lion. They paid humble deferential salutations and inquisitively asked, “Eldest brother! Just a few seconds back there was a lion seated at where you are sitting now. Where has that lion gone?"
The amused rya Sth labhadra replied with a smile, “There was no lion here. That was just me, testing my knowledge'
The seven lady ascetics were extremely happy knowing that their eldest brother was a treasure house of extraordinary knowledge & miracles.
Later, Female monk Yak related to rya Sth labhadra, the sad incident of their younger brother-monk r yaka whom she encouraged to initially observe Ek sana (taking food only once in a day) and then undertake complete fasting, as a result of which he passed away.
After the departure of the female-monks, when it was the time for learning, rya Sth labhadra went to his teacher. crya Bhadrab hu told him in clear words, "Son! It is very difficult to acquire knowledge but actually it is much more difficult to digest the acquired knowledge. You failed to digest the secret knowledge. You could not control the temptation of displaying your power. In front of your sisters you exhibited your eminence and the miracle of your knowledge. And hence you are no longer eligible to learn the remaining knowledge. Be happy with whatever you have learnt."
When rya Sth labhadra heard the words of his teacher, he felt remorse for the sin he committed. He prostrated on the feet of his Guru and repeatedly implored for his forgiveness and he repeatedly promised that he would never, ever repeat such a mistake. But crya Bhadrab hu bluntly refused his plea saying that he was unfit to acquire the wisdom of the last four P rvas filled with much celestial and miracle-achieving knowledge.
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