________________
him in dctaite the expansion of the religion that was based on the pirnciples of pity and sympathy for all the living beings. Who would remain in the darkness of ignorance when led into the light of knowledge ? Accepting the Jaina religion, Dhanapāla then, retired to the temple of Mahāvīra where he offered his prayers and then went home Then he advised the king Bhoja to allow the Śwétāmbar ascetics to travel in the country.
He, who leads his friend to enjoy the blessings received by him, can be called a noble friend Attaining the true thing, Dhanapăla was highly pleased, but now he wanted. Bhoja to avail himself of what Dhanapala had obtained. Being a favourite of the king, he almost always stayed with the king and appreciated the Jain principle whenever he got an opportunity to do so. Once Dhanapăla accompained the king to the temple of Maha kala (a great god) There instead of approaching the shrine of 'Sankara' he sat in a small window of the middle hall of the temple, When the king called him to pay his respects to the shrine, he approached the entrance to the last hall of the temple thrice and returning resumed his seat in the window. On being asked by the king why he did so, he replied, “ My lord, the god Śiva is sitting with his wife Pārvati, and hence 1, feel shy to look at them While your Majesty is engrossed in playing with the queens in the harem, who can dare approach the place or see the merry-makings ?” The king was dejected to some extent at the reply While leaving the temple and seeing the image of Bhrūngi (a servant of the god ), the king asked Dhanapāla with curiosity “Why is this Bhrungî so lean ?" Dhanapāla had now an opportunity to tell the truth. He had to fulfiti his ambition, He said, “If god Shiva has only directions as his garments (it has in fact no garments to wear ), what is the use of a bow to him ?; If he is in possession of a weapon, why should he require ashes ?; If he applies ashes to his body (which is an indication of a Hindu ascetic) why should he have a wife ?; and if he has a wife, why should he be jealous of Kāmadeva
-2
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
