Jain Stories 01

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

Page 72

JALNA STORIES
as a tirthankara and he did it on the fourth day descend-- ing at the northern gate of the city and holding a holycongregation there Sulsa reacted, 'It's all a sham A tirthankara who is already liberated will not come down and there cannot be a twenty-fifth tirthankara I'm not going to witness this bit of jugglery'
“Now, Amvada came to meet Sulsa, the great sravika, at her own residence and to congratulate her He revealed to her how he had very skilfully organised the tests, and how the great lady came out each time untouched by them 'How true the Lord's words about thee 1' added he The king then returned to his city and fixed himself in those spiritual activities that would later acquire for him the name and status of a tirthankara He became a devoutstavaka and attracted many others by his example In the end he courted fast unto death, as prescribed in the Jaina scriptures and earned a life in the celestial regions All his 32 queens followed in his great footsteps "
"Coming to myself, oh king' because of the coming up of the inauspicious karına, my vast kingdom is now gone, and is in occupation by my enemies I am a pauper without means even to support myself In the expectation of getting some of my father's treasures and throne now hidden under the meditation seat of the Yogini, I went thither, when my departed mother descended from her celestial abode and stood in my way. She told me that she and all her cowives were now engaged in safeguarding the treasure and the throne and that I should not strive to unearth them She told me frankly that I had no luck for wealth and advised me to depart
"Since, oh king my own luck does not help me, I thought, it might be reversed if I could win some lucky person on my side And so I am here to invoke your assistance in the expectation that it would brighten up my own prospects