________________
326
Śri BappaBhatti Sūri:—
His original name was Surapala. His father Bappa and his mother Bhatti were staying in Dumba city of Panc ala-country. He was very bold and heroic Even at the age of six he showed an extra-ordinary brilliance Once, at the age of six, he had a quarrel with his father; and so he left home and came to Modhérā where lived an Ac'ärya named Siddhaséna whom he approached and told him what had happened. Looking at his courage and intelligence at such an age, he thought that if properly trained he would turn out to be a pillar of the religion. So he asked him whether he was prepared to stay with him. Surapāla showed his willingness, and just from the next day Swamiji began to teach him sciences ( Sastras). Sūriji was astonished to see his extraordinarily sharp memory Sūra pala used to learn by heart one thousand verses daily.
When he became worthy, the Guruji-with an intention to give him Diksa-went to Dumba to his parents for getting their consent His father, first of all, showed his unwilingness, but, at last, with the condition of preserving his own name, consented Then Guruji gave him Dikṣā, and he was given the name of Bheudakırti; but from the names of his parents he was known as 'BappaBhatti
Looking to his prowess, the Guru gave him 'SaraswataMantra', by the chanting of which-at one midhight the Goddess Saraswati appeared before him and blessed him
Once, when he went to Sthandilabhūmi, it rained heavily. So he stayed in a "Déva-kula During his stay there, a person came to Visit him He was Ama, the prince of King Yaşovarma of Kanyakubja (Kanoja. As he had a quarral with hus father he had left home and was wandering He happened to see a 'Prasasti' (verses of praise) in the Dévakula and asked BappaBhatti to show him its meaning The Guru showed such a depth of his
Jain Education International
For Private Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
