Lord Mahavira Vol 01

Author(s): S C Rampuria
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute

Page 86

Personality of Lord Mahavira and his Sermon at Champa
77 in the squares, at places where four roads met, in the temples, on the highways, in lanes and bye-lanes, in the market place of the city of Campa. All these places were thronged with men. Some oroups were talking in a whisper, some were talking aloud, but there was talk everywhere. People were moving in small groups, often changing position.
Some were talking to others very casually, some seriously, some were expressing the same theme in different words. Said they, "Oh beloved of the gods! The fact is that Sramana Bhagvan Mahâvîra, who is self-enlightened, the founder, the creator of the order, the best among men, till one who is perfected, while wandering from village to village, has, in the course of his wandering mission, arrived here, camped here and is staying here. He is camped in the Purnabhadra caitya outside the city of Campa, with appropriate resolve, enriching his soul by restraint and penance.
"Oh beloved of the gods! When the mere mention of his auspicious name and lineage is the giver of great merit, the outcome to one who waits upon him, who pays him homage and obeisance, who asks questions, who worships him, must indeed be very great.
When even a single, noble, well-spoken and pious word from Bhagavân Mahâvîra gives great merit, the merit derived from listening and accepting his whole sermon must indeed be very great.
“So Oh beloved of the gods! Let us all go to Sramana Bhagavana Mahâvîra. Let us pay him homage. Let us pay him compliments. Let us show him respect. Let us worship this great personality with due humility who helps us to destroy sin and to acquire perfection, knowledge and bliss.
“This will help us in this life as well as in life hereafter. This will give us bliss. This will wipe clean adverse situations. This will help us in the attainment of perfection."
Having discussed like this, a vast crowd of people prepared to go Sramana Bhagavan Mahâvîra. This included the Ugras, the progency of the Ugras, the Bhogas, the progeny of the Bhogas, the Rajanyas, the progeny of the Rajanyas, the Ksatriyas, the progeny of the Ksatriyas, the Brahmanas, the progeny of the Brahmanas, heroes and their progeny, warriors and their progeny,