________________
PRABUDDH JEEVAN
JULY 2016
Murtipujakas
orders called Gacchas today are the Kharatara, Svetambarins who are not Sthanakavasins are Tapa and the Tristutik. Major reforms by Vijayanandsuri called Murtipujaka (Idol-worshipers). Murtipujaka differ of the Tapa Gaccha in 1880 led a movement to restore from Sthanakvasi Svetambaras in that their derasars orders of wandering monks, which brought about the contain idols of the Tirthankaras instead of empty near-extinction of the Yati institutions. Acharya rooms. They worship idols and have rituals for it. Rajendrasuri restored the shramana organisation in Murtipujaka monastics and worshippers do not use the Tristutik Order.
[To be continued] the muhapatti, a piece of cloth over the mouth, during 76-C, Mangal Flat No. 15, 3rd Floor, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai prayers, whereas it is permanently worn by Road, Matunga, Mumbai-400019. Mo: 96193/79589 Sthanakvasi. The most prominent among the classical /98191 79589. Email : kaminigogri@gmail.com
The Story of Great Emperor Samprati Maurya
The Great Emperor Samprati Maurya was the grandson of Chakravarti Maurya King Ashoka. His chief queen died after giving birth to Rajkumar Kunal. Ashoka promised her to make him the heir of Maurya dynasty. He sent the young prince to Avanti to keep him away from other jealous queens. Both were in regular touch through letters. Once Ashoka instructed the minister of Avanti in a letter including the sentence "see that kumar studies well". It was lying on the table before despatching, the step mother Tishyaraksita read the same and changed it by putting a point over the word 'Adhiyatam' to make 'Andhiyatam' with a KAJAL meaning 'make kumar blind'. Ashoka was not aware with this trick. In good faith it was sent to Avanti.
The letter was received at Avanti and read in the assembly with the last line mentioning to make Kumar Kunal blind. Everyone was shocked. They doubted the writing as a mischief committed by someone. Obedient Rajkumarkunal didn't listen to anyone but put the hot bars in his own eyes. When king Ashoka received this news he became extremely upset but was helpless. After this, Kunal started playing musical instruments and listened to discourses of ascetics. King Ashoka arranged his marriage with his minister's beautiful daughter.
Now our story rewinds to the previous birth of Samprati King. Once Magadha kingdom faced severe drought. Beggars could not get their daily meals. One of the beggars saw that some monks were receiving food so he requested Arya Suhasti and his disciple to give him some, as he was very much hungry. They explained humbly that they can share food only with ascetics. If he is ready to accept monkhood only then they could share their gochari. Thinking for a while the beggar became a Jaina monk to save his own life. He was very happy with the honour he received from the whole community. He couldn't control himself and ate a large quantity of food.
The same night the new monk felt uneasy with gas and indigestion. All monks were sitting nearby and tried their best efforts to save his life but all in vain. He listened to the sermons on death bed and died in auspicious LESHYA. On his last day, his Jiva gathered auspicious karmas by repenting his bad deeds with true, pure and pious mind resulting in rebirth within the royal family of emperor Ashoka.
Kunal became father of that Jiva. As soon as this message reached Ashoka, he questioned the messenger, "When did Kunal become a father?"He replied "Samprati" which means "Now" so later on he was named SAMPRATI. Kunal was advised to go to Patliputra and demand rights for his child. Kunal went to see his father and played very good music. Ashok recognised his son and presented the kingdom of Magadha and Avanti to his grandson Samprati with Raj-Tilak.
Young Samprati now stayed most of the time at the kingdom of Avanti. Once he saw a procession from his palace window / zarukha where ascetic Arya Suhasti was going to adore Jivitasvami image in the city with other monks. King Samprati realised that he had seen him somewhere, may be in his last birth. In this way he received Jatismarana Knowledge. He recognised his Guru Arya Suhasti and became his devotee and dedicated himself to Jainism. He established lakhs of shrines, images and restored many old shrines. Today also one can see them at Mangalpur (present Kumbhalagad), Girnar, Shatrunjay, Badanavar, Nadol, Nadalai and many other places. Thus Samprati - the great grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and grandson of Ashok is very famous in Jaina scriptures as a true devotee of Jaina tradition. He also spread Jainism in Europe, Srilanka and other countries.
