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446
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Oh you great sage! You are omniscient. This bird normally eats flesh and it always looks for carrion flesh. How did it become healthy by touching your feet? How did its ugly body become splendid within a moment ?"
"Oh you great man! This event took place long ago. In those days, there was a city called Kumbakarakat, in this place. A king by name Dandak was ruling over the city. This vulture is the Jiva of that king," said sage Sugupta.
Shri Ram was hearing the narration with deep interest. The muni continued the narration. In those days, King Jitashatru ruled over Shravastinagari. Dharinidevi was his Queenconsort. She gave birth to a son. He was named Skandak.
Skandak had a sister also by name Purandarayasha. She married King Dandak.
Once King Dandak sent his messenger Palak to Shravasti on some errand.
Palak followed the Vaidik dharma. He did not like the Jain dharma. When he went to Jitashatru's court by chance the king happened to be praising the Jain Dharma. Palak spoke critically of the king. All were angry. Prince Skandak also was present in the court. He possessed incisive intelligence. He defeated Palak in an argument. Palak felt helpless against his logical arguments. The people in the court applauded the prince. Palak was defeated. So he hated the prince but he could do nothing. He merely fretted and went away.
A long time passed. The prince lost interest in the samsar. Just then, Shri Munisuvratswamy happened to visit Shravasti. A grand celebration was organized to receive him. Prince Skandak along with five hundred other princes received initiation into the sadhudharma.
After being initiated thus into the sadhudharma Skandak Muni carried out severe spiritual austerities. In course of time, he was elevated to the status of an acharya.
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