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NO, 19 ŚRI MĀNADEVASŪRI In Nãdola there lived Dhaneswara-a very wellknown merchant who had a wife named Dhāriņi and a brilliant son named Mānadeva. Once, while travelling, Pradyotana Sūri came to that city. Mānadeva was deeply affected by his extra-ordinary preachings. Then, he could realise the transitoriness of this world, and he determined firmly to win over his own internal enemies.
He requested Guruji Mahārāja to offer him pravrajyā (Dikşā). His parents also with heavy hearts gaye him their consent. So at an auspicious time he was given Diksā Then, began his period of severe penance. What is impossitble to attain for one who has got sharp intelligence ? In a very short time he studied all the eleven Angas and acquired proficiency in Mụlasūtras and Chéda Sūtras also. As he turned out to be so brilliant, Guruji offered to him Súri-Pada. At the time of the ceremony of offerring it he saw on his shoulder two goddesses Saraswati and Lakşmi; So, he became a little dejected. He thought that due to their attraction he would-perhaps not he able to observe proper conduct. This shrewd student marked out the change on the face of his teacher, and took up a vow to abandon all food from the devout Sravakas and all sorts of Vikruii-Vigayas for ever.
Due to the prowess of his penance and constant observance of celibacy, four Goddesses-Jayā, Vijayā, Aparājita and Padmă used to dwell near him and used to visit hin daily for salutation. As time passed on Mānadéva Sūri became well known over the whole world.
At this time, Takşasila-city was known as the centre of Jaina-Dharma. About 500 caityas adorned the city. Unfortunately an epidemic broke out on account of which many men began to die daily. Doctors and medicine proved a failure. Nothing but affliction and miseries were seen every where. The cemetery was overcrowded by corpses and an offensive smell was incessantly coming from it.
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