Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 237

thousands of men and women. A large crowd accompanied the ascetics with great applause.
Reaching the bank of the river Ve , all the ascetics including their chief were hesitant. They had a grave problem facing them. On one hand, there was fear of drowning and on the other there was fear of losing their hardearned fame. The chief of the ascetics, thinking that the lotion must definitely have some effect left, stepped into the water of the river Ve. The waters of Ve were flowing rapidly and as such the lotion of his feet was already thoroughly washed with the warm water. Hence, the chief of the ascetics started drowning due to the depth and turbulent flow of Ve.
Just then rya Sumita S ri came to the bank of Ve and seeing the chief drowning in it said, “O Ve ! I want a path to go to the other bank". To the astonishment of the crowd, the water in the river shrunk at once and both banks of the river appeared close to each other. In one leap rya Samita reached the other bank of Ve . All the men and women present there including the ascetics, were very impressed by the unparalleled inner - power of rya Samita S ri. Explaining everyone the real form of Dharma, he motivated the people to do good deeds to uplift one self and others'. Listening to the sermons which touched the depth of the heart, the Chief of the ascetics along with his 499 disciples took 'Nirgramtha rama a' initiation (one who has no room for wrath, pride, wickedness, greed, sexual thoughts). As these 500 rama as were earlier staying in Brhmadw paka convent, after initiation into the rama a Dharma, they became famous as the “Brhamdw pika gaccha”.
rya Samita was the greatest proponent of Jainism of his times. He not only Strived for the accomplishment of the tremendous vitality of his soul, but also showed the path of spiritual-exertion to the seekers of salvation and thus offered unparalleled service to the Jain Order.
rya Dhanagiri
rya Dhanagiri, the second prominent disciple of rya Simhagiri, left his bountiful riches and his chaste, loyal, pregnant wife in his prime youth and set such an ardent example of detachment and renunciation
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