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INTRODUCTION
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surprised to see that the monk possessed the power of knowing the thoughts of others and asked him further to tell him where his father, mother and grand-mother were born. The monk thereupon narrated to him their various births, saying in conclusion that his father and grand-mother were born to him as his son Abhayaruci and daughter Abhayamati, while his mother was born in the fifth hell.
IV
On hearing this narrative king Jasavai was moved, and decided, despite the gentle persuasions of his harem, to live the life of a monk. Abhayaruci and Abhaya. mati also recollected their previous births and fainted. When they were brought round they at first thought of becoming monks, but being too young and being advised on the principles of Jainism by Sudatta, postponed the project for some time, and became kşullakas, novices. Abhayaruci concluded his narrative by saying to king Maridatta that they were, while wandering as kşulla kas, caught by his men and brought to the temple of Capdamäri.
On hearing this account both the goddess Candamārī and king Māridatta repented and requested the kşullaka to initiate them into the fold of Jainism. The kşullaka however replied that he could not do that, but his teacher alone could admit them into Jainism. At this juncture Sudatta came there, narrated the past lives of king Maridatta and others. Bhairavānanda also became disgusted with his mode of life and all the three were converted to Jaina faith. At this stage Abhayaruci became a monk and Abhayamati a nun, and after having lived a pious life, were born as gods in the Isana hea ven.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OBLIGATIONS
It now remains for me to perform the pleasant duty of thanking all those who, one way or the other, assisted me in the production of the present work. I must thank in the first place Rai Bahadur Hiralal, who, through the kindness of my friend Mr. V. K. Deshpande B A.; LL. B., Additional District and Sessions Judge in the C.P. and Berar, put me in communication with the late Mr. Jaykumar Devidas Chaware, Pleader of Akola. It was late Mr. Chaware who made all the necessary arrangements for my inspection of the two Bhandars at Kāranja.
The lovers of Indian scholarship owe a special debt of gratitude to the generosity and munificence of Shet Gopal Ambadas Chaware, Banker and Merchant of Káranja in Berar, who has set apart a large sum of money for the purpose of starting the Series Ambadas Chaware Digamber Jaina Granthamālā, to perpetuate the momory of his late father. It is through this Series that the valuable treasures of the Káranjā Jaina Bhandars will be made known to the world of scholars. I am particularly indebted to him for the courtesy he showed me during my stay at Kāranjā and for the honour he did me in entrusting the edition of the present work.
To Professor Hiralal Jain, M. A., LL. B., of King Edward College, Amraoti, and the General Editor of the Series, I owe a special debt of gratitude. It was Professor Jain who did me the honour of entrusting the editorship of this first volume, and bore through patiently with me in my protracted labours of editing and printing.
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