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Suri to go to Agra. It was no small honour to be so respectfully invited by the Emperor. He also told them that he would arrange all possible convenience and facilities for the Suri on the way.
The Jain Shravakas were not able to decide anything then, but said that the Suri was at Gandhar and they would go personally and request him to come to Ahamadabad. Then the Shravakas sent Vachhraj Parekh, Mulo Sheth, Nana Vipu Sheth, Kunvarji Zaveri and others to Gandhar. Sanghvi Udaykaran, Parekh Vajia, Parekh Rajia, and Raja Shrimalla also went to Gandhar.
The Suri heard all the news, and read the letters. Then they all met in a conference. Most of the Shravakas were not in favour of Suri's going there. But the Suri at last made up his mind that he would go there. He said that it was the duty of Jain monks to preach and spread their religion. In past there had been many Jain monks who had successfully preached to the kings, and thereby many advantages had accrued to the Sangha and religion. He would, therefore, decide to go and undertake all the perils of such a long journey. The Jains agreed to this.
It was on the 7th day of the black half of Margashirsha that the Suri started from Gandhar. The whole Jain community gave him a hearty send-off. They all went in a procession with him, and outside the city the Suri gave them a sermon, in which he dwelt upon the worldly attachments and their impermanence. He asked them to rise above them and allow him to go with a light heart.
The Suri, after leaving Gandhar, first halted at Chanchol. Then he came to Vatadara via Jambusar, crossing the river Mahi at Dhuaran. At Vatadara the Suri had a miraculous dream. He saw, in his dream, a divine woman. She had pearls and saffron in her hands. After greeting the Suri with pearls she said, "The Emperor Akbar is very anxious to see you. You may proceed there without any hesitation. It will add to your glory and to that of the Jain religion." The Suri was much encouraged by this dream.
Next he started from there and reached Ahamadabad via Sojitra, Matar and Bareja. The Jains of Ahamadabad took the Suri
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
