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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Silently offering venerations to the epochal- c ryas like Sudharm Sw m and the others, Varddham na S ri went to the temple along with Pa dita Jine vara S ri and a small entourage of his disciples who were conversant in scriptures. After reaching there, he seated himself on the seat spread by Pa dita Jine vara S ri and Jine vara S ri seated near his feet. King Durlabhar ja was just about to offer betel to Varddham na S ri, when Varddham na S ri said, "O King! A monk should never eat or accept betel, because eating betel by celibates, monks and widows is condemned severely and prohibited in religious ethics.” No sooner did they listen to this, a deep veneration for the Vasativ s monks aroused in the hearts of the discerned persons.
Preparing for the debate, Varddham na S ri declared to the people assembled there, “During the debate whatever Pa dita Jine vara says, please consider that it has my approval in to.”
All the members replied in a single tone, "Okay. So be it."
Later, presenting their first proposition (p rvapak a), the leader of Temple dwellers, S r с rya said, “The monk who stay in vasati, are usually unaware of and outside the six philosophies ( ad Dar ana). K apa aka, Ja Prabh ti etc which are mentioned in ad Dar ana”. To substantiate his statement with evidence, S r с rya wanted to read the extracts from the book of new theory related to this topic. He took the book into his hand to read. Jine varaga i preventing him midway and addressing Durlabhar ja said, “O King! Which rules and regulations do you follow in your kingdom? Those enunciated by the ancestors or those created by the new generation?"
The King immediately answered, “In our kingdom we follow only those theories and principles enunciated by the ancestors and we never consider other policies as authentic or worth following."
Then Jine vara said, “O King! Even in our tradition, we too consider that religious path as authentic, which was paved by ga adharas and
rutakeval s, conversant with 14 prior canons. Except the preaching of ga adharas and knowers of 14 prior canons, we never regard either the preaching or the path of others as authentic or worth following."
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