________________
PREFACE : XXV dancing by the groups of gods are available in plenty here. (33–38)
Describing the expanse of the Pundarika hill, it has been said that this best part of the land is sixty-four miles (eight yojana) high, eighty miles at the top and four hundred miles at the foothills. (verse 39)
Further, it has been said that Pundarika was the very first to attain omniscience, here, at the culmination of his one month long anaśana (fasting) on the full moon day of the lunar month of Caitra. (verse 41)
According to the text of this work, many other monks who were staying on the foreward side of this hill and in the company of monk Pundarika, also attained nirvana (spiritual emancipation and freedom from the miserable woridly existence) just like monk Pundarika himself and became perfectly accomplished (Siddha), enlightened (Buddha) and liberated (Mukta). (verse 43)
In the next verse there is a mention of the praise of all the ultimately accomplished monks and Sarīra-pūjā (body-worship) of omniscient Pundarika, by the gods. (verse 44)
It has been mentioned in this work that the first Lord Prophet-propounder Bhagvan Rsabhadeva had said that Pundarika hill will be the first and the foremost place of pilgrimage for the worldly creatures in the present aeon of time. On such proclamation by the gods, the congregation of worldly creatures gathered there and named the hill as Pundarika. (verses 45448)
Stating the names of those spiritual aspirants who attained
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org