Book Title: Jain Legend Vol 4
Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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Page 234
________________ realised the illusionary and ephemeral nature of familial bonds. The seed of renunciation and detachment had sown in his heart at that young age itself. But so as to fulfil his responsibilities, he carefully struck a balance between the spiritual practices, profession and family. When he was 18 years old, he became father of a son. The grandparents felt ecstatic happiness and named the boy P r acandra'. Lok ha lost his mother when he was 23 years old. The next year his father Hem bh also breathed his last. Lok ha's important work involved transactions with farmers. When the crops of the farmers were destroyed due to famine, his cons used to prick him while collecting the loaned money from them. Compassionate Lokacandra, confronted by this dilemma while collecting the money lent to the farmers, wanted to wind up these transactions with the farmers and settle down in a city as a jeweller. In those days the Siroh king had strained relations with the king of Candr vat , near Abu. Due to sudden attacks by the enemy, anarchy, plundering, looting, massacring became a routine. Finding it difficult to continue his spiritual practices peacefully, and to carry out business in such unruly and unpleasant environment, Lok ha decided to migrate to some other place. After his parents' death, he started winding up transactions with the farmers. With whatever amount he could collect, he migrated to Ahmadabad with his wife and son when he was 25 years old (in Vikram 1497). They took a house with all amenities and he started his jewellery business. A few days later, Mohammada ha ascended the throne of Ahmadabad (Gujarat) in 1497 Vikram. As he wanted to buy new ornaments, he summoned all the jewellers to his court. So, Lok ha too went to the court along with other stalwart jewellers. All of them placing their precious gems before the king explained their significance and novelty. The king liked two big quality pearls from among them, shown by a jeweller of Surat. The merchant told the price of those two berrysized pearls as 172000 each. Mohammada ha asked the rest of the jewellers to check their quality and fix the rate. After testing them every one of them declared, - 'These two pearls are of best quality and the price is reasonable”. 234

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