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STORIES PRECEDING BHAGWAN MAHAVIR
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half years which results in Nine Ayambil -Oli (one every six months).
The Navapad Aradhana (puja) is observed by meditation and practicing a penance called Ayambil. One meditates upon Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhus (Pancha Paramesthi), Jnan (knowledge) Darshan (faith), Charitra (conduct), and Tapa (penance) known as Navapad. Ayambil is observed by having only one meal a day of very plain food without any spices, milk, sugar, salt, oil, ghee, fruits and vegetables. This penance and
are
meditation to be observed for nine days, twice a year, during the month of March/April (Chaitra) September/October (Ashwin). Accordingly, Mayana and Shripal devoutly observed Navapad worship and penance with all its vitality. The result was miraculous: Shripal's skin disease started fading. In due course, he got totally cured of leprosy and regained the skin that he had before contracting the disease. Now he looked like the handsome Prince that he had been. Mayana was very happy and blessed her Karma for that change
and
too. Since the change was apparently brought about by devotion to Navapad and practicing the penance, both of them continued to observe it even after that.
Once while they were at a temple, queen Rupsundari saw them. She was shocked to see that her daughter was with a handsome man instead of the leper with whom she was married. Mayana understood her anxiety and explained in detail everything that had happened. Rupsundari was extremely pleased to hear that. She told the king that Mayana's persistence
VIVT
about
the
theory of Karma
had proved right. The king could also see the truth. Deep in his heart he used to curse himself for bringing misery in his lovely daughter's life. Now he too became happy and invited his daughter and son-in-law to stay with him in the palace. Shripal's real identity was revealed to all, and luckily his mother arrived at the palace and stayed with them.
Once there was a royal procession in which Shripal was seated on a horse along with the king. During the procession someone pointed a finger at Shripal and
