Life and Stories of Jaina Savior Parcvanatha

Author(s): Maurice Bloomfield
Publisher: Maurice Bloomfield

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Prince Bhima and his friend Matisāgara
şasa (sc. Canda), and Hemaratha went to pay their devotions to him; this he rewarded by a longish sermon on the futility and destructiveness of wrath, in consequence of which Canda was converted (370). While the Muni was still speaking a great elefant came rushing on with a roar that scattered the assemblage. Bhīma tamed him, whereupon he also paid his respects to the Sage. The elefant then changed his form to that of a Yakṣa, declared that Hemaratha was his son in a former birth, and that he himself, thru evil associations, had ruined his perfection (samyaktva), and had become a Vyantara. The Sage then preached on samyaktva. Afterwards Bhima visited Hemaratha's palace where he was received as an honored guest. They exchanged fair and pious speeches (390). Kāli (Kālikā, vv. 145-244) arrived, accompanied by the Kāpālika. The goddess informed Bhima that his family was distressed at his absence, and that she herself had promised that he would return shortly. Bhima was seized by a longing for his home. The gods came upon the scene and announced the arrival of the Yakṣiņi Kamalākṣā, who told of her conversion by Bhima and the Sages. The Yakṣa then produced a car by magic; Bhima and Matisagara mounted it for their homeward journey. In due time they arrived at a park near Kamalapura, their native city (414). There Bhima adored the gods and the Jina, the Lord of the world (425). King Naravāhana, his father, heard of his arrival; the king and the queen went to greet Bhima, who threw himself at their feet. Bhima and Matisāgara returned in triumf on a state elefant. Matisagara, on request, narrated Bhima's adventures. Naravāhana gave many princesses in marriage to Bhima, consecrated him as king, and himself took the vow (dikṣā). Bhima also in the end took to the forest. Because he abstained from killing, teaching
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