________________
him from the Mugalas. This proves the fact that the followers strictly adhered to the noble path of his preceptor.
All these facts suggest that Lok ha led a profound and serene spiritual life. He occupies the first place in the list of reformers of post Devarddhiga i K am rama a period. Even in the most calamitous situation, he never compromised on his principles and never made alliance with the untruthful opponents. Lok ha with his zeal, honesty and truthfulness left c rya Kuvalaya Prabha, a great reformer of yesteryears far behind.
In ancient Hund vasarpi times there lived a very sincere diligent c rya called Kuvalayaprabha. Narration about him is found in 'Mah ni tha'. During his times, because of the influence of non-restraint worship (asamyata pj), the 10th carya (extraordinary event), everywhere the lax monks swerved away from the Holy Path. They were rama as only donned in monastic garb. However, their conduct and austerities were totally contrary to scriptures. They believed that building of temples, worshipping with materials, pompous and high profile rituals is the real Dharma which bestows liberation. They did not believe in mental / psychic veneration. They stayed permanently and regularly in temples, consumed dh karm food (food prepared specially for them) and kept money with them.
Wandering continuously through many regions Kuvalayaprabha halted in the middle of Temple dwellers. The Temple dwellers were captivated by his serenity and divinity as a result of severe penance, and his analytical explanation about the absolute truth. They pleaded him, "O Best of
c ryas! Please have mercy on us and make this place as your layover for rainy seasons halt. With your impressive sermons, towering temples will be constructed in every part and every street of our city."
As he knew that their conduct was against that propounded in scriptures, he uttered this with courage, "Bho bho piyamvae! Ja vi Ji lae Tah vi S vajjami am ham v y mitte am pi Eyam yarijj ". From then on, the Temple dwellers started calling him scornfully 'S vady c rya' and this disrespectful name became popular everywhere.
228