Jain Legend Vol 4

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 95

For nearly five months Deva S ri served his preceptor loyally with dedication. r Municandra S ri, knowing that his death was close at hand, observed the vow of samlekhan -samth r and obtained holy death in Sam dhi in Vikram 1178.
Encouraged by Deva S ri, a pious and wealthy merchant called 'Th haḍa' started constructing a Jina temple. As it was still under construction, Deva S ri had to stay back for six months in A ahillapura Pa a a, even after the Sam dhi of his preceptor. After completion, and upon the request of Thāhaḍa, Deva S ri performed the consecration ceremony of the idol and temple. Thus on the whole, after staying for one year in Pa a a, Deva S ri started for Nagpur.
After reaching Nagpur, King hl dana presented himself in the service of Deva S ri, and welcomed him warmly. He offered obeisance and took him into the city with great pomp and gaiety. The expert of reality,
c rya Deva Sri enunciated the sermons and preaching that would uplift not only his own self but that of others as well and guided them in their progress on pure spiritual path.
When Deva S ri was present in Nagpur, the King of Pa a a, Siddhar ja Jayasimha attacked Nagpur with his huge quadripartite army and besieged it. However, when he came to know that c rya Deva Sri sojourned in Nagpur, he immediately ceased his attack and returned towards Pa a a with his army. The King sent his loyal citizens to Deva S ri and reiterating humble requests summoned him back to Pa a a and made him stay there for monsoon. During Deva S ri's monsoon sojourn in Pa a a, Siddhar ja Jayasimha, with his army attacked Nagpur and within a short time overpowered them and established his supremacy over it.
This incident reveals the unflinching devotion of Siddhar ja Jayasimha towards Jain c rya Deva S ri. Despite besieging the fort with his huge army, he ceased his military campaign and went back the moment he came to know about the presence of r Deva S ri there, without even considering the huge amounts of time and money he had already incurred. He did not invade Nagpur as long as Deva S ri remained there. Ultimately after making the preceptor stopover in Pa a a for the monsoon, he attacked and captured Nagpur.
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