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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During that period, a merchant called N ga of Pr gv a lineage lived in a city called Maddr h ta (Madd hata) situated in a Ma dala which was widely known as ‘eighteen hundred (1800)' in Gujarat in those days. His wife's name was Jinadev. On a certain day, chaste Jinadev dreamt that the full moon was entering into her mouth. When asked about the implication of the dream, Municandra S ri said, “You will give birth to a virtuous gem-like son who will bring bliss to the hearts of everyone."
After the pregnancy period, Jinadev gave birth to a son in Vikram 1143. Keeping her dream in mind, the child was named P r acandra. When Pr acandra was still a child, Madd hata Nagara was in the grip of an epidemic. So V ra Nga and Jinadev migrated and settled in Bh gukacchapura (Bharuca) in L region.
Seeing the challenging circumstances, the boy P r acandra decided to help his father in earning the livelihood. Putting his thought into action he used to prepare appetising delicacies at home and sell them to the rich people. The meritorious boy used to earn a reasonable income with this small errand.
Municandra S ri contemplated, “This boy will blossom into a legendary personality”. After contemplating on this, he asked V ra N ga to give the boy to him in alms. V ra N ga poured out his heart to the guru with humility, "O Lord! Our lineage has been involved in serving your noble feet. But he is our only son. He is the only support and hope of our lives. In spite of this, if you still want to take him, I will obey your orders happily. You can take him.”
Moved by the unparalleled magnanimity and detachment Municandra S ri said, “O Best of votaries! From today onwards, my 500 disciples are your sons. Besides, all the devotee brothers will serve you in all sincerity till the end of your life. Discard all the worries and prepare yourself for the next world by following the true path.”
Municandra similarly convinced Jinadev , the mother of P r acandra and initiating him into monkhood in Vikram 1152, he made P r acandra his disciple. He was given the ascetic name R macandra at his initiation.
After initiation monk R macandra studied logic, grammar, literature, law, philosophy, scriptures and attained prodigious scholarship in them.
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