Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 262

took the ‘vow of p dopagamana ana ana vrata' (abandonment of body willfully). Forbearing the scorching heat of the sun and fire-like burning heat of the boulder, he continued his penance and fasting, with total detachment. He had not only overcome the physical suffering but also conquered and controlled the mind and heart. Within a span of 48 minutes, he left the perishable body and left for the heavenly abode. The Devas praised his tenacity, courage and energy.
The monks were engrossed in penance observing fasting on the M mgi Mountain. One aged monk from among them heard the uproar of the celestial angels down hill and enquired Vajra Sw m about the reason.
c rya Vajra Sw m narrated the entire incident of observance of 'p dopagamana ana ana vrata' by the novice monk on a burning boulder, and his demise and explaining about the commotion he said that the pleased celestial angels were celebrating the great occasion.
Getting inspired by the strong resolution and will power of the monk who sacrificed his life with detachment at a very young age, all the monks with extraordinary perseverance and concentration were engrossed in self-realisation. A peripatetic celestial angel created lot of trouble for the monks involved in penance, but failed to produce the least effect on them. Vajra Swm with his disciples shifted to a nearby mountain. After they paid their humble respects to the goddess of that mountain they sat on their respective seats and started meditating, and attained heaven.
After the demise of all his disciples through observance of fasting, rya Vajra Sw m too, in dethatched concentrated meditation, left his body. Thus the Pride of Jain order, rya Vajra Sw m left for heavenly abode in V.N. 584. With his demise, the knowledge of tenth Prva and the fourth endurance (ardhan r ca samhanana) got lost.
How profound was the knowledge of rya Vajra? Presently, we do not have any yard stick to measure it.
If ‘imagination' which can fly to its utmost, tries to probe the fathomless knowledge of Vajra Sw m, who immediately after his birth had gained the memory of his previous births, because of which, even as an infant, instead of his mother's milk, he drank the ambrosia of the Jain scriptures
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