Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 190

great Greek conqueror Selucus from K bula and Kandh ra and annexed those regions to his vast Indian kingdom.
According to many ancient scriptures, when Candragupta Maurya ascended the throne of P al putra, he was not a follower of Jainism. However, C akya in different ways proved the greatness of Jain doctrines and of Jain rama as and convinced him to follow Jainism. As a result, Candragupta became a staunch believer and a devoted votary of the Jain Dharma. He patronised and served the Jain order significantly.
After the coronation of Candragupta as the king of P al putra, apprehending that he may be poisoned by any treacherous person, and so to safeguard his precious life, the farsighted C akya administered very small doses of poison to him, mixed in his food. The dose was steadily increased and the poison soon worked like ambrosia on Candragupta providing nourishment and sustenance to his body. Gradually, the ratio of the poison being fed to Candragupta was increased to such an extent that if somebody else just tastes the food that is served to Candragupta, would die then and there itself.
Birth of Bindus ra
One day while Emperor Candragupta was having his food, his pregnant wife came there. The queen expressed her desire to eat along with him. The more Candragupta resisted her from eating from his plate, the more adamant the queen became and in the end, she suddenly snatched a morsel from his plate and at once kept it in her mouth. The poisonous food worked instantly on the queen and she fell to the ground, unconscious. Immediately, there was hue and cry everywhere in the palace. Prime Minister C akya quickly rushed to the spot.
"It is impossible to save the life of the queen”, uttering these words, C akya ordered the surgeons to cut open the abdomen of the queen as fast as they can and to save the life of the unborn child. The surgeons acted accordingly and took the baby out of the womb. There was not much effect of the poison consumed by the mother, on the baby, except the appearance of a blue dot (Bindi) on his forehead. He was named as Bindus ra, because of this poisonous dot on his forehead.
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