Rise and Glory History of Halari Visa Oshwals

Author(s): Rati Dodhia
Publisher: Rati Dodhia

Page 48

Chapter 6. Origin of Oshwal Community
35
transported on a royal carriage to the funeral place for cremation. On the way, by his guru's order, the disciple stopped the chariot and said "Take this chariot to my master, he will revive the prince." The king and all his subjects went to the place where the acharya was sitting and begged him to revive the prince. Then the acharya said "Oh King I will help you, I will revive the prince but in return you have to promise to accept Jaina religion." Everyone agreed. The acharya with the help of supernatural powers called the snake back and ordered the snake to suck the poison out of the prince's body. After sucking the poison out the snake disappeared. The prince shook himself, and got up as if he was getting up from a deep sleep. After listening to acharya's sermon 125,000 kshtriyas with the king, embraced Jaina religion.
What ever may be the real truth, such stories are found in the other texts also. One thing is sure, that kshtriya king Upaldev accepted the Jaina religion after hearing the sermon from Acharya Ratnaprabh Suriji, and along with him about 125,000 Kshtriya families of Upkeshpattan converted to Jainism.
Acharya Shri Ratnaprabh Suriji died in Virat 84 years. Having in 14 years converted many to Jaina faith, as many as 384,000 according to the official records.
Nobody can claim that this religious conversion took place in one day and in one place. Between fourteenth to sixteenth centuries many influential Jaina acharyas were able to persuade hundreds and thousands of people to accept Jaina religion.
The Communal Deity of Oshwals: Sachiya Mata.
In ancient time in the temple of Chamudadevi (or Mahishsurmardini, a terrifying form of the goddess Durga) located in Upkeshpur animals like buffaloes and goats were