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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The Jain community got completely acculturated to the observance and practice the extravagant superficial religious rituals, as they have been witnessing the same as a routine from 11th century to 16th V.N., when Temple dweller tradition was in predominance. The frivolous and dubious methods adopted in the name of religion received sanction as a part of religious rituals. A great majority of followers of Jain religion had almost forgotten the original soul of spirituality. Pandit Jine varaga i requested his preceptor Varddham na S ri to grant him permission to explain the true form and to show the true path of religion to the people and followers who were led astray by the pseudo path of Temple dweller tradition.
Conceding to this request, Vardh mana S ri along with his 17 monks including Jine varaga i proceeded towards Gujarat from Delhi. Following the itinerary, they reached the port city of A ahillapura Pa a a via Pall (probably P 1 m raw ḍa). The city was bereft of even a single lay devotee or a virtuous monk, from whom they could seek shelter. So they camped in a pavilion outside the city and engrossed themselves in important religious practices like self-study, meditation etc. Enduring heat, hunger and thirst they stayed there for some time. At that time Jine varaga i urged his preceptor, "Lord! There is no point in sitting like this as it does not help us in any way".
Vardh mana S ri asked, "Then what is it that we should do, O Gentle Muni?"
Jine vara replied, "O Lord! Grant me permission to go to that monumental building, which is visible from here."
Taking the consent of his preceptor Jine vara proceeded towards the building. It was the residence of the royal religious adviser (purohita) of King Durlabhar ja of A ahillapura Pa a a kingdom. During the course of conversation the royal religious adviser was highly impressed with erudite Jine varaga i. He questioned Jine varaga i, “Where have you come from? Where have you camped?" Jine varaga i said, "We have come from Delhi and have camped in an open pavilion outside the city. This place is full of our adversaries; there is none who practices our path. We are 18 ascetics in all".
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