Jain Legend Vol 3

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

Page 139

which cannot be found in the history. It will not be out of place to say that all these contributions of Vanar ja are historical example of paying reverence to his teacher. The biggest benefit of such benevolent acts of Vanar ja resulted in complete dominance of temple dwellers congregation in Gurjara Prade a and P a a from 11th century V.N. to 16th century V.N. with the absence of any type of obstacles from other competing Jain congregations, the temple dwellers congregation continuously prospered and expanded. For around five centuries, any kind of opposition to them could not disturb them.
Vanar ja Cavadḍā during his childhood had obtained education on Jain doctrine from temple dweller c rya Devacandra. He considered lag a and Devacandra as his gurus throughout his life. To express their gratitude towards Jain c ryas of temple dwellers congregation and the congregation itself, not only him but his successor family rulers also stayed as devotees, worshippers and extended all round support to the temple dwellers tradition.
Vanar ja while founding the city of P a a in Vikram 802 also laid the foundation of Lord Pr van tha temple there. After making P ana as his capital, he had the consecration of Lord P r van tha temple by c rya
lagu a also. This temple of Lord Pr van tha was also named as Vanar ja Vih ra. Such details are also found about Vanar ja Vih ra that Vanar ja got this temple made to enable his mother perform daily pj of Lord Pr van tha. Mother of Vanar ja was also an ardent worshipper of Jinas.
Moral standards and platitude of Vanar ja were of very high level. There is a famous folklore in Gujarat about him.
'Once upon a time during Vanar ja's rule, a caravan of ships having 1000 horses and 500 elephants, due to a severe storm in the sea, landed near Soma N tha on the border coast of P a a. The three princes of Vanar ja prepared themselves to capture that caravan of ships. Then Vanar ja stopped them from doing such an immoral act. Still the princes sent their armed servants and soldiers and seized that caravan. Then they presented the 500 elephants and 1000 horses to Vanar ja, he was deeply hurt by this immoral act of his sons.
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