Jain Stories 01

Author(s): Mahendramuni, K C Lalwani
Publisher: A B Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Samaj

Page 68

JAINA STORIES
Necessary submission was made on behalf of the king. Dharanendra at once brought some ablution water from the temple of Lord Parsva and prescribed its use by the king The water gave him relief
'At the right time, a son was born to the king without causing any difficulty, and the king s long-standing desire for a son was thus fulfilled, but the king died shortly thereafter Dharanendra himself crowned the new-born babe as king and named him Dharanendra Chudamanı after himself It is for his sake that the Deva created the nether world, and the way thither is through this fire
‘In this new world created by him, sir, Dharanendra has provided all facilities for its residents. There's also a temple dedicated to Lord Parsva, who is worshipped by the devotees and propitiated for the removal of evils. Such is the commandment of the founder that all Vidyadharas who are sixteen or above must compulsorily pay homage to the Lord at least on the four prescribed days in the month, failing which they will not only be deprived of their vidyas but may even turn into lepers. To-day, sir, it's one of the prescribed days, and you see so many Vidyadharas, men and women, around the fire'
"The Didyadhara stopped at this point, but his account did not reveal the purpose for which Amvada had been brought here So when the point was raised, the Tidyadhara started again 'Sir, it has been very unfortunate that on one of the auspicious days, the king himself violated the commandment by mistake, and thus he has not only forfeited his powers, but is also suffering from a virulent type of leprosy The Deva was propitiated again but he is in a violent rage and wouldn't pacify The queen berself is on an indefinite fast and has already covered twentyone days.
The Deva not appears to bave mellowed down a little He „appeared to the qucen in a dream It is at his suggestion