Risabha Deva

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 79

63
Sila, at the Top of the Universe, endowed with Immortality, Perpetual Youth. full All-embracing Know ledge, and Supreme Bliss! He will never come back, or fall into transmigration again!
NIRVANA
The nirvana of a WORLD TEACHER is termed the fifth kalyanaka (auspicious event); and devas and men assemble to celebrate it. When Risabha Deva attained nirvana, devas flocked on the Mount Kaliasa and celebrated the glorious Event in their usual manner. The bodies of the Perfect Ones are dispersed, like camphor, and only some hairs and nails are left behind. Indra collected the hairs and nails are left behind. Indra collected the hairs and nails of Risabhadeva and created a body with his powers of illusion to resemble the Lord's. This body they cremated, and besmeared their own bodies with its ashes. Great rejoicings and dancings took place on the occasion, as is the custom of the devas.
Bharata was, however, very disconsolate, and plunged in grief. He did not participate in the rejoicings in which men joined the devas.
Ganadhara (Apostle) Vrisabha Sen saw him and spoke to him: "Surely, this is not an occasion for grief," said he, for the Lord has gone to the everlasting Abode of the Immortals, which you and I even are also going to reach very soon!" After a while Bharata recollected himself, and touching the Holy Feet of the Leader of Saints, proceeded to his kingdon. He lived for many years more in the world, but always filled with growing disgust for its toys