Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 270

rya Rak ita thought that it is beyond his capability to attain such a vast knowledge and asked the permission of rya Vajra to leave for Da apura. However, renewing his confidence, rya Vajra said, "Son! Do not be disheartened. Keep up with your studies."
"Lord! I shall honour your command" replied rya Rak ita, and continued studying the tenth P rva. However, as he was no longer confident that he could master the balance ocean like knowledge, he frequently persuaded c rya Vajra for his permission to go to Da apura. With his cognitive consciousness, the c rya could see, "After going to Da apura, rya Rak ita will not return again. There is no person qualified enough to assimilate the entire knowledge of the P rvas, and I am not left with enough life. Consequently, the tenth P rva would, once and for all vanish from India, with the end of my life.”
Thus looking at the unavoidable future, permission to rya Rak ita to go to Da apura.
c rya Vajra finally granted
Hence, rya Rak ita could acquire complete knowledge of nine P rvas and partial knowledge of the tenth P rva. As soon as he received the permission from c rya Vajra, he along with his younger brother Falgu Rak ita, set off to Da apura. After reaching Da apura, rya Rak ita preached and enlightened his parents and kinsmen. As a result, all of them took initiation in rama a Dharma. Rak ita's father, the newly initiated monk Somadeva (who was bodily weak) because of his immense affection towards his son, wandered along with him, but did not put on the prescribed robes meant for the possession-less Mok a. Initially he was allowed to carry an umbrella, and wear sandals, the sacred thread etc., but gradually he was brought into the complete path of a monk.
rya
rya Rak ita took all the newly initiated monks to his Guru, To aliputra. c rya To aliputra felt very happy to see his disciple, having attained the knowledge of nine and a half P rvas and considering him eligible in all respects, declared him as his successive c rya. rya Rak ita travelled far and wide, and enlightened laymen & women.
In the va yaka Niryukti', it is stated that rya Rak ita systematized and classified the scriptures. It is also mentioned that rya Rak ita was praised by S mandhara Sw m as an expounder on Nigodha (lowest form
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