Jain Stories 01

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

Page 71

AMVADA
47
Kesi, a Jaina spiritual stalwart, and Amvada said unto him, 'Holy sir I have heard that Jainism is powerful and helpful, but does it compare with Saivism ? To this the Ganadhara gave the following reply
'Oh king! A little knowledge about anything cannot give you a full view of it A frog in the well knows nothing of the mighty ocean So long you have followed only the Saiva path and you hardly know much about the path of the Jinas Your acquaintance with it will itself resolve your doubts
"At my father's request, the Ganadhara obliged him by paying him a visit at his palace From that day on, everyday, the great savant developed at length the Jaina spiritual theme for the enlightenment of the king This had a tremendous impact on the king who became inspired and courted equanimity as a first step, and then the twelve vows of a stavaka The Ganadhara told my father that Lord Mahavira himself was wandering in that region fulfilling his earthly mission, and Amvada paid homage and obeisance to the Lord in the city of Visala Said he unto the Lord, 'Bhante! When shall I be liberated of this mundane life'? To this the Lord said, 'Amvada , You will become the twentysecond tirthankara named Devatirthakrit in the next up-phase ( utsarpını) of the time-cycle' Amvada was now on his way to Champa, and the Lord apprised him that in that city there lived a great stavika Sulsa by name who was very much advanced in equanimity Amvada had at once a desire to meet the lady of whom even the Lord spoke in so eloquent terms
"Posing as Brahma, he now descended at the eastern gate of the city All people came to pay homage but not Sulsa Next day, he appeared as Sıva at the southern gate, and on the third day as Vishnu at the western gate Only " he failed to attract Sulsa So Amvada thought to appear