Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 189

During the tenure of both these c ryas, Jain Dharma spread throughout India, far and wide. Moreover, Avant also became a strong centre of Jain tradition during their time.
Remarkable Spiritual-exertion of rya Mah giri
rya Mah giri taught his many disciples the gamas and made them proficient in Ek da mg. Later, he handed over the responsibility of his gaccha also to rya Suhast and staying with the gaccha he started practicing the rama a principles of Jinakalpa. Even after taking the vow of Jinakalpa rama c ra, he did not leave the order (gaccha). He used to wander with Suhast and the rama as. However, he would go alone for begging alms and also meditate in solitude. He took a challenging resolution that he would accept only the dry tasteless or stale food that the householders would discard.
c rya Mah giri is regarded as the greatest c rya of his time. Besides being a staunch supporter of pure conduct, he was well-versed in the Prvas. He would not accept even the slightest deviation in the strict adherence of the daily activities or self-control.
Thus practicing the strict monkhood as stipulated by Jinakalpa, c rya Mah giri performed severe penance for many years and set up a yardstick for the high quality life of a rama a. He was of peerless character and the highest quality monk of his times. Finally, he went to a place called Gaj grapada near Elakaccha (Dar apura) and fasting there he undertook Sam dhi and attained heaven in 245 V.N.Y after completing 100 years of his life.
Mah giri's contemporary royal dynasty
It was already mentioned that the Mauryan dynasty was established during the last days of crya Sth labhadra (215 V.N.Y). During the period of crya Mah giri, Candragupta Maurya, the first King of this dynasty, under the guidance of his inspirational Prime Minister C akya, was engaged in wars for many years with the rulers within and outside India. He brought the entire country under one strong administration and established a vast, powerful sovereign empire. He even drove out the
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