Monk and Monarch

Author(s): Vidyavijay
Publisher: Deepchand Banthia

Page 83

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upon him. His son Sahaskarn also was rich. He was a minister of Mahammadshah. His son was Gopalji.
Gopalji, from his childhood, had an aversion for worldly attachments and enjoyments. He had very well studied Logic and Grammar. He had also composed some poems. When he was twelve years old he had taken a vow of celibacy. He soon resolved to be initiated at the hands of Suriji. Along with him his brother and sister also resolved to be initiated. Along with him several others-in all eighteen men-resolved to be initiated. All of them were initiated at the hands of Suriji with great pomp and festivity.
Akbar had a favourite named Jaitashah. He was very famous. He had a desire to leave the world and be a Sadhu. He expressed his wish to be initiated at the hands of Suriji. He requested the Suri to wait for two or three months; and then he would be initiated. At that time Suriji was in a hurry to go to Gujarat. But on hearing of Jaita's resolve, Akbar himself requested Suriji to stay more. Suriji agreed and initiated Jaitashah and named him Jitavijay. He was later known as 'Badshahi Yati.'
Once when Suriji was at Sirohi, he had a dream that four elephant-cubs were studying books. Thereupon he inferred that he must get four good pupils. And it so happened that a merchant of Roha named Shrivant and nine members of his family got themselves initiated at the hands of Suriji. In that family were four sons named Dharo, Megho, Kunvarji and Ajo. Out of these Kunvarji was later known as Vijayanandsuri.
At Sirohi lived a Jain named Varsingh. He was to be married. All the preparations of the marriage were done. One day Varsingh was saying his prayers in the Jain temple, covering himself fully on the head. All the Jains who came to the temple bowed down to all who were sitting there. Amongst them was Varsingh's would-be wife. She also bowed to him, thinking him to be a Sadhu. A man told Varsingh about this. Varsingh went home and declared his resolve to be a Sadhu. His family agreed to this with great difficulty, and the festivities of the marriage