Jainism in Gujarat

Author(s): Chimanlal Bhailal Sheth
Publisher: Godiji Jain Temple Mumbai

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Hemasuri's sermon had its desired effects. Kumārapala made up his mind to refrain from killing, flesh-eating and hunting till the end of his
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(Kāvyānušāsana, II, p.p. CCLXXXIII-IV ). utmost that can be said in favour of Dr. Buhler's view is that Hemasuri and Kumārapāla's intimate contact must have begun after the greatest expansion of his empire, and Kumarapala must have found time for "doing honour daily to that monk" after war expeditions and conquests were over. The question arises as to when Kumarapala and Hemachandra first met According to Jinamandanaganı, Kumārapāla once went to Pattana to wait upon Jayasimha and saw Hemacharya seated on & lion-seat before the king. He felt that 88 the learned Jain monk was being respected by the king, it would be a meritorious thing to meet him; so he went to the lecture-hall of Hemasuri and asked him what the best virtue was. Hemachandra asked him to behave as a brother towards the wives of others. Kumārapālaprabandha, pp. 18-22
There is nothing improbable or incredible in the account of Jinamandana. Kumārapāla must have been attending the court of Jayasimha to wait upon the king before he came to know of the evil intention of Siddharāja, and as Hemasūri attended Jayasımha's court frequently, Kumārapāla must have seen him. Moreover, as Hemacharya was much respected by Jayasimha, Kumārapala must have thought it advisable to see him.