Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 223

Listening to the verdict of the cowherds, Sidhasena accepted his defeat and said, "Lord! Please initiate me and make me your disciple as the audience has declared you a winner.
c rya V ddhav d said, "Sidhasena, let us go to Bh gupura and have a debate in the royal court. What significance does a debate held in front of laymen like cowherds have?"
But Sidhasena was firm on his stand and said, "Sir! You are K laj a (one who knows the three dimensions of time). So please initiate me in your congregation". Seeing his firm resolve, V ddhav d initiated him into the ascetic life and gave him the name Kumudacandra. Later when he held office of c rya, he became famous with the name of crya Sidhasena Diw kara. After nominating his most eligible disciple, Sidhasena to the rank of c rya, V ddhav d continued his wanderings elsewhere and Sidhasena moved towards Avant.
The congregation in Avant received him warmly amidst applauds and cheered him as 'Son of Omniscient' and other laudatory titles. Coincidentally, King Vikram ditya was coming from the opposite side, seated on an elephant. When he heard the people saying 'Son of Omniscient', in order to test him, offered salutations internally in his mind. Sidhasena lifted his hand and gestured to the king that he had accepted his salutation. The king asked in astonishment, "Are your blessings so insignificant that you are bestowing them on to a person who did not even pay his respects to you?" The c rya replied, "O King! Though you did not physically salute me you did it in your heart".
The pleased King Vikram ditya dismounted from the elephant and bowed to him in front of all the people gathered there and presented him with ten million golden coins. c rya Sidhasena who was under strict vow of non-possession of any kind said to the king, "O King! Leave alone accepting, we Jain monks do not even touch gold and women”.
As the king also felt that he cannot take the money back, once bequeathed to the monk, he spent the money for the welfare of the people.
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