________________
302
Victory not acquired by me till now Every object becomes easily accessible to well-directed aitempts." With these ideas in his mind, Salibhadra Muni, accompanied by the highly adventurous Dhanya Muni, went to Sramaņa Bhagavān Mahavira and having respectiuily howed down at his lotus-like feet, both the sådhus said:-Swamın! Chis body, which is our perpetual enemy, is not able to perlorni austerities. Your Worshipiul Bhagavālia is aware that a living body is known by its life Then what is the use of nourishing this body ? With your Worshipful Biragavān's permi ssion and favour we both of us are desirous af acquiring Salvation by Samlesand uradhana (cereinonies suitable for meditation on death-bed). Jinéśvara Bhagavāri replied:-Do as much as is suitable for the welfare of your Atma 1 here is no obstruction from me. Hayang duly received perinission from the Jinéśvara, both the Sadhus, Sālıbhaura Muni and Whanya Muni accompanied by Gagadhara Bhagavāna Gautaina Swami and forty-eight munis (ascetics, ascended Mount Vaibhâra Giri, and having cleaned a suitable slab of stone and having made it perfectly free from small insects and vermin, they atoned for the slightest injury to insects, vermin etc, that may have been unintentionally caused during wall.ing, and having done the ceremony of expiation in thirty-two ways in the presence of the Gapadnara Bhagavāna Gautama Swamiji Mahârája, both of them practised Pädapopagamana Anasana (remaining without food and drink, and keeping their bodies straight in a standing position without moving at all like a trees. The two Sadhus-destitute of a desire for living and destitute of any fear from Death-fully engrossed 11 equanimity and meditation and contemplating on Subhadnyana, stood surro unded by the forty-eight munis (ascetics)
Here', at Rajagrına, during the festival in cominemoration of the arrival o! Salibhadra Muni and Dhanya Mun at Rājagriha, Bhadra Máta had goi her palace beautfully decorated with festoons, portal arches etc, of precious stones and gems. Now Bhadrã Mätá, taking the beautiful virtuous wives of Salibhadra with her, went to do obeisance to the Venerable One King Srénika
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org