Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya

Author(s): Anandsagarsuri, Sagaranandsuri
Publisher: Manav Mangal Bombay

Page 15

Vikram Samvat 1154 (A.D.1098). The Deeksha Mahotsav was joyfully celebrated by Udayan and Chachdev. After Deeksha, Changdev was renamed "Muni Somchandra."
After being a Muni Somchandra showed signs of his intellect and brilliance. His personality was bright and talent sharp. In a few months he mastered poetry, logic and literature. It is said that he could learn and recite 1000 shlokas in one day. This is not impossible for any one who is blessed by Devi Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. He was never satisfied or tired of achieving knowledge in any field. In those days, it was believed that Devi Saraswati's abode was in Kashmir, so Muni Somchandra asked permission to go there to enhance his knowledge through her blessings.
After getting permission from his Guru, he along with other monks left for Kashmir. In route he stopped at Raivatavatar. A holy place. Goddess Saraswati herself appeared there and giving her blessings said to him, "O Muni ! You need not take the trouble of going to Kashmir. I am pleased with you efforts. All your desires will be satisfied."
8