Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 196

with these temples. But there is no mention of these types of temples in the historical texts written before 882 V.N.
Avant Sukum la, the unparalleled symbol of strenuous practice of
conduct
After rya Mah giri went to heaven, rya Suhast , wandering through many lands, once again reached Ujjain and camped in a garden in the outskirts of the city. He sent two of his disciple saints to the place of a very wealthy & respected lady called Bhadr for permission to stay in her place somewhere. Permission having been granted, he along with his disciples, stayed in the out house of that very wealthy & respected lady Bhadr.
The next day, at dawn, crya Suhast was chanting the chapter of "Nalin Gulma" aloud. Avant Sukum la, the son of Bhadr, who was at that time sleeping in a room on the seventh floor of the mansion, with his 32 beautiful wives, heard the melodious recitation of the verse, which echoed in his ears. He listened to it rapt with attention. He at once found the chanting irresistible, and in order to listen to it more clearly and to understand it properly, he came out of the palace as if he were under a spell. He came to crya Suhast and listened to him attentively. Listening to the recital, an overwhelmed Sukum la felt as if he had previously experienced the happiness described in the recital. On profound contemplation, he gained the knowledge of his past life. He went to the c rya, bowed to him with humility and said, "Lord! I am the son of Bhadr, the mistress of this house. On listening to your recital I regained the knowledge of my past life. Prior to this birth, I was a celestial being in a plane called 'Nalin Gulma’. Now once again the strong desire to go back to my Nalin Gulma has arisen in me. I want to be initiated into the ascetic life by you and return back there. Please ordain me as a rama a". c rya Suhast explained him the difficulties of a rama a life.
Avant Sukum la said, “Lord! As per the norms laid down for the monks, I cannot practice penance for a long time. So, in the beginning itself, I will take the initiation into rama a Dharma undertaking the vow of fasting and endure the worst suffering for a short period”. Having noticed that he was firm in his decision, rya Suhast asked him to seek the permission of his kinsmen. Later Avant Sukum la asked the
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