Journey Of Ahimsa

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaibhikkhu Sahitya Trust

Page 17

Champa came through successfully and Akbar was curious to know more about Jainism. He invited Acharya Hirvijaysurishwarji to his court. Acharya, set out from Gandhar port on the 7th day of Margshish Sud in Samvat 1638 and reached Fatehpur Sikri on Friday, Jyestha Vad 13th, of Vikram Samvat 1639.
Emperor Akbar got up from his seat on seeing the Acharya and welcomed him and the three princes Shaikh Salim, Murad and Dhaniyal too offered obeisance to the Acharya. In the palace were laid royal carpets but Suriji refused to walk on it and this surprised Akbar to no end. The muni explained that Jainism prohibited walking on covered flooring, lest insects or ants beneath get killed. Akbar got the carpet removed and found countless ants and insects under it. Akbar learnt that the Acharya had walked the long distance and to compensate for the labor, he offered him gold and silver. The muni refused to take anything but demanded that if at all the emperor wanted to give something, he should release the imprisoned birds and animals, prevent killing of fish in the Dabor lake, to
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A Journey of Ahimsa