Lord Mahavira Vol 01

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

Page 88

Personality of Lord Mahavira and his Sermon at Champa
79
Having arrived there, they moved round him thrice, paid their homage and obeisance. Having done so, they stood in front of him folding their hands in humility, neither very near nor very far, fully attentive, worshipping him with devotion.
Then the aforesaid Intelligence Officer, having learnt all this, was highly de.ighted till his heart expanded in glee. He took his bath, till decorated himself with ornaments light in weight but precious in value, and moved out of his residence. Then moving through the heart of the city of Campa, he arrived in the audience-room of king Kunika, till the king having trasmitted his homage and obeisance to Bhagavana Mahâvîra, sat on his throne Having sat on his throne, the king confered on the Intelligence Officer a cash award of 12.50 lakhs and honoured him duly Having done so, he dismissed him.
Having come out of the city of Campâ. he came to the vicinity of the place where stood the caitya named Purnabhadra. Having arrived there, he saw, not from very far nor from too near, the supernaturals like the umbrella, etc., which go with a Tirthankara. There he stopped the royal elephant and alighted from it. Having come down to the ground, he removed from his person and attendance the five royal decorations which were sword, umbrella, crown, sandals and camara.
Then he came to the place where was seated Bhagavan Mahâvîra and then having observed the five rules (abhigama) which one is to observe at a place like this, he stood in the presence of Bhagavan Mahâvîra. These rules were discarding live objects, placing in due order non-alive objects, covering the body with an untailored wraper, folding arms in the presence of the spiritual master and having full concentration of the mind. then he moved thrice round Bhagavan Mahâvîra and paid him homage and obeisance. Having paid his homage and obeisance, he worshipped him in three modes, viz., with his body, with his words and with his mind. with his body, like this-he contracted his hands and feet, while listening, he bowed and standing before him, he worshipped with folded hands and with due humility. With his words, like this-When Bhagavan Mahâvîra said something, he would say, “Bhante! So it is. Bhante! What you say is the authority. Bhante! What you say is the truth. Bhante! What you say is beyond doubt. Bhante! What you say is beneficial. Bhante! What you say