Book Title: Jinamanjari 1998 09 No 18
Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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Page 7
________________ “What is the reason, Oh king, of your feebleness?" Having heard the reason, Bali rushed to Fort Kumbhapura and captured Simhabala, whom he physically placed under the sword of king Padma. He said, “King! Here is Simhabala.” King Padma, delighted by the meritorious deed of his minister, told him: “You could have whatever reward you wish.” Bali appreciating the kind gesture of his king, replied: "Sire, you are very generous. I would like to seek the reward but not right now. I would hold it for a future time.” Several days later, the holy Akampana along with his seven hundred disciples arrived in the town, in the course of religious wandering. Minister Bali heard a great lot about the coming of this ascetic community, which was revered by the king as well as his subjects. Bali not being a follower of this samgha, unlike his king and subjects, suspected a mortal danger to himself. He thought this was the time to cash his future reward from the king. He went to the king and said that he would like his reward now. "What is your wish, dear Minister? Name it, I will award,” the king asked. “Sir, I wish that I would have full power and control of the town for a week.” The king granted Bali's wish and retired to his harem for a week. Bali then devised a plan to kill the monks. In the pretext of performing a sacrifice. he ordered to erect sacrificial stone around monks who were in deep meditation in kāyotsarga position at Mt. Atāpana." But the plan to kill the monks became unsuccessful, as it was obstructed by smoke and animals. Now at the city of Mithilā at midnight, holy Srutasāgaracandra observed the constellation of Sravana vibrating. Through the clairvoyance, he saw the event and told of a horrific disaster that overtook many monks. Having heard this, a vidyādhara kşullaka called Pușpadhara queried: “Where and to which monks, Oh holy one, does the horrific disaster happen to?" “At Hastinapura to holy Akampana and his seven hundreds disciples." “By what means will the disaster be ceased?” “There is a monk Vişņukumāra at Mt. Dharanbhūṣaṇa. Ile has mustered art of modification. The monk can cease it." Having learned this, the kşullaka went to Vişnukumāra and told him of all that happened. “What kind of art do I, indeed, have?" Having thought so, he expanded his alms to examine it. At that time, he created a miracle to destroy the mount and went far away. Then having ceased the miracle, he went to the place of Hastinapura and asked the king Padma: “Why on earth have you brought such disaster upon the monks? So far no one in your clan has done such a thing." Jain Education International For Private S Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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