Jain Legend Vol 3

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

Page 141

path was busy in delivering his sermons on improvement of self and others and preaching Jainism. One day c rya Siddha Sena arrived in village Modher after starting his wandering routine from P a a. There at night in a pleasant sleeping state, he saw a dream that a great lion like disciple jumped and sat on the summit of the temple. In the morning while telling his disciple V anda about his dream, he said, 'Seeing the dream towards the end of night and its results lead me to infer that we are going to meet a jewel like disciple soon who will take the glory of Jainism to the highest levels'. After saying this c rya Siddha Sena went to the temple.
As a coincidence, S rap la wandering aimlessly here and there also went to that temple in Modher. The piercing sight of c rya Siddha Sena fell on S rap la. He went to the child and asked his name and whereabouts. S rap la in a very humble tone gave all his particulars concerning his parents, name and village etc to the c rya. c rya asked the child, 'Will you stay with us? The child noted in approval and the c rya took him along and returned to the monastery. Alongwith imparting primary education, the c rya also started imparting religious education as well to S rap la. S rap la used to immediately remember and memorise all lessons after they were uttered once by c rya. One day c rya delivered long lesson of 1000 verses in (anu upa chanda) to S rap la. When S rap la recited all the 1000 verses alongwith their meanings to c rya, all other monks including the c rya were amazed and non plus.
The next day, c rya Siddha Sena, alongwith his disciples and S rap la, left for the birthplace of S rap la i.e. Dumb ugh and arrived there after a few days. Villagers of Dumb ugh alongwith S rap la's parents' k atriya Bappa and his wife Bha also came to pay obeisance to the c rya and venerated him.
c rya Siddha Sena asked the kşatsiya couple, Please give me your son. I will make him an expert in spiritual studies. This child of yours will in future become a great and influential crya of Jainism and bring name and fame to you as well for generations to come.'
Both Bappa and Bha with folded hand and with great humility said,
Yog wara! He is our only son and the centre of all hopes and aspirations of our clan and foundation of our life. How can we tolerate his separation?'
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