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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
FEBRUARY 2017
SUPERB DEVOTION STORY
SHRAVAK KATHA Acharya Shri Vatsalyadeep Suriji . Translation : Pushpa Parikh This is a story about a secretary of Gujarat state Immediately Bahad reached Palitana and went up staying in the city Patan. His name was Bahad. He on the mountain to see the damege. After inquiring about was famous for his devotion. viz. prayers, poojas, and the incident he was informed that the mountain is very penances. His father's name was Udayan. who had high and temple at such place should not have Bhamti also been a secretary in his time. Bahad loved his fa- (Place around the idol). It was a mistake. The air presther very much. He wanted to do something in his sure caused the damage. father's memory. Ultimately he decided to do some- Bahad ordered to construct a temple without Bhamti. thing on Shetrunjay mountian. He decided to get con- That proposal was refused by the sculptor. The reason structed a beautiful temple on the mountain. He reached behind this was a belief that one who gets constructed Palitana and started towards fulfilling his wish.
such a temple will have no issue (family) in future. Bahad stayed at Palitana for two years. When the Bahad did not mind that and instead of the chain of temple on the Shetrunjay moutain was ready a person series of sons he would prefer the everlasting temples. came and informed him and arranged for the Without hasitation he requested the sculptor to cominaugeration. Bahad was so excited that he presented plete the temple without Bhamti. a golden tongue to the informer.
This special devotional story of the secretary Bahad Bahad went to Patan for the arrangement. But as it became famous in the state of Gujarat and Saurashtra. is said, "Man proposes God disposes' before Bahad i n Samvat 1211 on an auspicious day the pratishtha reaches Patan he got the news that the part of the top (inaugernal ceremony) was performed on a very large of the temple is broken. The reporter was awarded by scale.
* ** two golden tongues as he had timely informed him so Pushpa Parikh, Kenway House, 6/B. 1st Floor, that he can get it repaired.
V. A. Patel Marg, Mumbai-400 004. Tele.: 23873611. THE STORY OF KING MEGHARATH
Dr. Renuka Porwal
The story of King Megharath is very famous in all three ancient religious traditions of India i.e. Jainism, Buddhism and Vedic. It shows that a powerful king never comprises if a question arises to save even a mere animal in return of his own life.
Once the brave and benevolent King Megharath was praised by Indra in Indrasabha at Devaloka / heaven. He mentioned, kindness and love towards all living creatures of King Megharath is so wonderful that he wouldn't be hesitate to give up his own life to save the life of one who takes his shelter."
Two of his deities doubted this and decided to test Indra's statement. They came in disguise of a pigeon and a hawk (The bird Baj in Indian languages).
Both deities came to earth after changing their forms. The pigeon entered through a window and sat near the king. The hawk famous for his vision (Bajnazar) saw the poor pitiable pigeon, tried to catch it but it had already taken shelter in the palace before his beak could reach him.
Megharath realised the pigeon's fear. The hawk demanded his food - the pigeon, where in reply the king refused. The king and the hawk both argued and at last the hawk agreed to have the king's flesh instead of the pigeon.
The king took out his knife and started cutting flesh from his thigh but the hawk demanded the same amount of flesh as this was to judge his behaviour. A big weighing scale was brought to the court. The pigeon was put on one of the pan and the king kept on adding his flesh in another pan but to their surprise it was not enough.
Finally the king put himself on the scale though everyone refused to allow him to sacrifice his life to save the mere pigeon but he didn't heed to anybody. Here Megharath showed his duty towards everyone who sought his refuge.
The whole court was stunned seeing the sacrifice of the king to protect a small bird. Megharath closed his eyes, began chanting prayer to God to forgive the hawk. Now it was the deities' turn to assume their original divine form.
Both deities stood with folded hands and said "Oh great king you deserve all the praise for your kindness and humanity. You are blessed by us. You will be future 16th TirthankarShantinath in this era".
"Long live King Megharath," everyone praised and saluted him. The soul of King Megharath became a Jina. It was the previous birth of sixteenth Tirthankara Shantinath.
