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? INTRODUCTION Jayasimha, and no god but the lord of the Jinas. His son Asvarāja who made the universe splendid with his glory made seven pilgrimages in order to escape seven hells. His wife Kumāradevi, though eminent in the Jaina religion, also had faith in Siva. They had three sons-Malladeva, Vastupäla and Tejahpāla. Bhima then gave Vastupāla and Tejahpāla as Virādhayala's counsellors, and said to him that his heroism, which will have sight with these two as eyes, may now trample down his enemies by searching them out. The two ministers should fulfil also the massage of Kumārapāla-the glorification of the Jaina faith. This account, though it materially differs from that given by Someśvara in this Kirtikaumudi, agrees with that in the two other contemporary works:- (1) Jayasimha's Vastupāla - Tejahpālapraśasti and (2) Udayaprabha's Sukstakirtikallolini. Vastupala's own words should have, however, more weight in this respect. In the Naranārāyaṇānanda he calls himself as the high minister of the Gurjareśvara and in its last canto he says that he accepted the dependence of the high-ministership of Bhima, the lord of Gujarat, for the incessant occurence of the festival of faith without any obstacle, which is sweet on account of its splendid power. 1 Bālchandra's account, however, agrees with that of Someśvara.
In the fourth canto Arisimha says that Viradhavala with the help of his ministers conquered the earth and put down all wrong and violence. Tejahpāla then requested Vastupāla to keep in mind the king's command and support the Jaina religion. Both approached their spiritual family preceptor Vijayasena Sūri of the Nāgendragachchha. On this occasion the succession of the priest of this gachchha is given. (1) Mahendra Sūri (2) Shānti Sūri and Amara Sūri, who received from king Jayasimha the title-"Tiger Cubs " as they had overcome proud disputants even in their infancy (4) Haribhadra Sūri (5) Vijayasena Sūri. Vijayasena Sūri explained to them the religious merits of becoming a Sanghādhipati. Vastupāla resolved to do so.
In the fifth canto are described the preparations for the great pilgrimage Narachandra Sūri of the Maladhāri gachchha and spiritual adviser of Vástupāla on his mother's side, Jinadatta Sūri of the Vāyada gachchha, śānti Süri of the Saņderaka gachchha and Vardhamāna Sūri of the Gallaka people were among the notable Achāryas who accompanied. Mention is made of a halt at Kāsahrada, modern Kāsandra, and of the institution of a great festival in the temple of Rshabha.
In the sixth canto we have a conventional description of the sun-rise.
In the seventh canto is described the ascent of the mountain and the devotional festivities. After paying his respects to Kaparadi Yaksha, the presiding deity of the Tirtha. Vastupāla entered the main temple of Adinātha. The Sangha stayed on the mountain for eight days.
In the eighth the pilgrimage to Deva pattana and Mount Girnar is described. From Santrunjaya the Sangha started to Devapattana for offering worship to Somanātha. Thence it proceeded to Girnar. A camp was pitched at the foot of the mountain and a festival was held. Then follows the description of the worship of Neminātha and the festivals. Having paid homage to Ambā, the presiding deity of the Jain temples on Mt. Girnar and Sāmba and Pradyumna who had obtained salvation here, the Sangha descended after a stay of eight days. (1) भास्वत्प्रभावमधुराय निरन्तरायधर्मोत्सवव्यतिकराय निरन्तराय ।
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