Monk and Monarch

Author(s): Vidyavijay
Publisher: Deepchand Banthia

Page 65

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विषयनिवृत्तित्वं धर्मत्वम् ॥
i. e., to be free from worldly attachment is Dharma; and if Dharma is understood in this manner, there would be no cause of quarrels for differences in religion."
The Emperor was much pleased by this sermon of the Suri. He formed a high idea about his scholarship and character. He then said to the Suri that he was running through a bad period under the influence of Saturn and that the Suri should show him some way to be free from it. But the Suri said he was no astrologer and knew nothing about black practices and magic.
Then Akbar asked his son to bring a collection of books from his library. They were brought there by Khankhana.13 They were books on Jain and Hindu religion. Akbar said that those books belonged to a Jain monk of Nagpur named Padmasundar. After his death, the books were preserved in his palace. He then requested him to accept the books. The Suri accepted the books with hesitation and said that Akbar should create a library of these books in Agra, which Akbar did. After some further conversation the Suri took leave of the Emperor and left his palace. The Jains of the place were much pleased on that occasion, and they celebrated a great festival in honour of Suriji's visit. Suriji stayed at Fatehpur Sikri for some days, and then went to Agra, where he passed the monsoon. During the Paryushana holidays, Jains of Agra went to the Emperor and requested him to stop killing of all life for eight days. The Emperor accordingly issued an order.
Though nothing is mentioned about this order in "Hirasaubhagya" and "Jagadgurukavya ", non-killing was observed, according to " Vijayprashasti", for eight days, and, according to "Hirvijaysuriras ", for five days.
After the monsoon, Suriji went to Sauripur for pilgrimage and then returned to Agra. There he established the image of Chintamani Parshvanath 14 and then went to Fatehpur Sikri. This time he came in more contact with the Emperor. Particularly he had long discussions with Abul Fazl, who was a true and genuine seeker after truth.