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THE JAINA GAZETTE Bharata of the critical stage. Bharata forthwith marched, and coming to the Lord, made 3 pradakshinams, celebrated the mahama ha puja for fourteen days unceasingly, when on Magha dark Chaturdasi day break, the Lord attained Nirvana. Indra came down with all his hosts to celebrate this filth Kalyanathe Parinirvana Kalyana. To the right of the homakunda for the Bhagavan's body, was placed the homakunda for Ganadhara's body, and to the left the homakunda for the anagara kevali. The three agnis (fire) of the kundas were garhapatya, dakshinagni, and a havaniya. Their ashes were smeared by the devas over the faces, neck and shoulders. Indra danced the ananda dance and went his away.
Bharata's grief was intense. Vrishabhasena the ganadhara advised him to participate in Indra's celebration of this fifth Kalyana, inasmuch as the Lord after conquest of all Karma went to Everlasting Happiness. Till now the Lord was present to the eye : now He will be in the heart. Is not this nearer? We too shall go to the Abode of Eternal Bliss to which He has gone il we tread the path He trod.
The Ganadhara algo traced back the history of the life of Sri Adideva and of others. Bharata thus consoled, went to Ayodhya, gave away the Kingdom to Arkakirti, celebrated the maham lor eight days, went to Kailasa Mt., worshipped the Chaityalayas there, sat on the stone slab whence Sri Adisvami had attained Nirvana, facing north, with Siddhabhakti, took to dhyana, attained instantaneously Manahparyaya on taking to Jina dikshe. Kevalabodha came to him the next moment. For one pubbа years he was busy spreading Dharma, then returned to Kailas and attained Nirvana.
After sage Bharata, Vrishabhasena Ganadhara leading, all the sons of Purudeva attained Nirvana in succession.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
