Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 217

Wandering through many places, he reached Bharomca and camped there for the monsoon. At that time Balamitra was the king and his younger brother Bh numitra was the crown prince.
Balamitra and Bh numitra had a sister named Bh nu r. Her son Balabh nu was very simple and humble by nature; he had great faith and devotion towards ascetics. He happened to listen to the sermon of K lak c rya and got enlightened. Averted from worldly life, took initiation from him. This enraged Balamitra and Bhanumitra, who compelled K lak c rya to leave Bharomca during monsoon itself. Because of the unfavourable reaction from the king, K lak c rya left Bharomca for Prati h npura with his entourage. He sent a message to the rama a congregation in Prati h npura that he would reach the place before the festival of Pary a a and that only after his arrival the related festive - programme must be finalised.
S tav hana, the king of Prati h npura was a follower of Jain Dharma and a great devotee of rama a monks. In order to welcome the crya, he took with him the local congregation, the ruling clan, kinsmen, attendants, servants and citizens; K lak c rya thus entered the city amidst exhilaration and welcoming cheers of veneration.
After entering the city, in front of the congregation, K lak c rya announced the collective celebration of Pary a a festival on Bh drapada ukla Pamcam. The commonkty accepted the proposition. But at the same moment King S tav hana said, "Lord! Following the customs and conventions of the society, I have to participate in the Indra Mahotsava on the day of Pamcam (5th) and so I will be deprived of offering salutations to the monks, listening to the discourses and the very occasion itself. Hence it will be optimum to celebrate the festival on a i (6th)".
The crya said, "However, the date of the festival cannot be postponed".
The King enquired, "In such a situation, of what harm would it be if we advance the date to Caturth (4th)?"
Giving his consent, K lak c rya said, "Yes, it can be done that way".
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