Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 493

32 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
master it and preach it to others. It will be conducive to your great merit, wealth and well-being."
“Then Sucandra the householder having heard this dhārani from the Lord, having become pleased and happy, elated fell at the feet of the Lord and said: “I have now learnt this dhāraṇī, O Lord, and have grasped it well. I shall now explain it in detail to others also."
"Instantaneously, Sucandra the householder's treasury was filled with riches. Then Sucandra departed from the Lord having saluted him and having circumambulated him a hundred-thousand times."
“Then the Lord addressed venerable Ananda : “Go you, Ananda go to the residence of Sucandra the householder and see his abode filled with all kinds of wealth.”
«Then venerable Ananda approached the house of Sucandra and returned to the Lord and asked: “What, O Lord, is the cause that Sucandra has suddenly become a man of great wealth ?” “Ananda, Sucandra the householder is devoted, is of great devotion, his intentions are noble. He has learnt this Vasudhārā-dhāraṇī, has grasped it and will preach it to others also. Therefore, Ananda, you too learn this dhāraṇī, grasp it, recite it and preach it to others. That will be for the good of many, for the happiness of many, for the well-being of gods and men. I do not see, O Ānanda, anyone in this whole world of gods and demons, of the Māra and Brahma, of the śramaņas and Brāhmaṇas who will overcome this powerful charm (Mahavidyā); such a contingency does not exist. Why is it so ? Because, O Ānanda, these mantras of the Vasudhara-dharāņi are unbreakable, they will not even be heard by beings who have lost their roots of good. Why is that? Because it is the word of all Tathāgatas, by all Tathāgatas is this dhārani uttered, controlled, and sealed by their own seal, and preached for the well being of all poor people and for the removal of all fears, obstructions and calamities."
"Then the venerable Ananda asked the Lord : What is the name of this Discourse, O Lord, and by what title shall I know it? The Lord said: Therefore, O Ānanda, you may call it by the title of Sucandragļhapati-pariprcchāl or the Vasudhāra-dhārani-kalpa."
“The Lord said thus, and the venerable Ananda and those monks
1
It would appear from this that this was another title of the Vasudhārā-stotra. As a matter of fact, however, this is also a title of a different work, MSS. of which are found in Nepal. See below.