Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 242

her Guru's feet. The teacher initiated him and arranged for his education under the guidance of an ascetic named Maņdana. As he was extremely intelligent, Nagendra excelled in learning all the subjects in a very short time. Pleased with his service, his Guru taught him P dalepa Vidy (knowledge of the ointment for feet to achieve miraculous powers). Hence he became popular as P dalipta.
This is an incident that happened during the reign of the king Muruņda of P al putra. He was suffering from unbearable headache for six months. Incidentally, after taking over the responsibility of the congregation as
c rya, P dalipta visited P al putra. By that time the king in spite of being treated by several methods (tantra, mantra and medicines, etc) did not find any relief. The king sent his minister to crya P dalipta and appealed to provide him with a remedy for his chronic headache. Therefore, c rya r went to the palace and with the power of his mantra, completely cured the king of his headache.
Getting relieved of his headache, the delighted king, put c rya r through few tests and after that became his ardent devotee.
There are many astounding incidents in Jain literature describing the outstanding abilities of crya P dalipta. Some of the books mention that he would apply a lotion made of various medicines to his feet and travel in space.
It seems that he travelled far and wide. King K a of M nyakhe a, King Bh ma of Omk rapura and many other kings and emperors were his followers. He demonstrated his outstanding skills in P al putra, Bh gukacchapura and in other places and eliminated opposition created by people of other faiths against Jains and many people became followers of Jainism.
During the tenure of rya Nagahasti as the discourse- c rya, there were three epochal- c ryas - rya r gupta, Vajra and Rak ita, who are discussed hereunder.
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