________________
33
person or the best amongst men The lustre of the boy began to attract the teacher On some proper occasion, he asked for the boy from his father. Viranag gavea an idea of the calamity that would befall him when the very support to his maintenance is lost The Guru told him not to worry about it. With the permission of the mother also, the boy was given Dîkṣa, and he was named as Rämac'andra.
Saraswati-the Goddess of Learning-lovingly came to him, and resided on his tongue as if he was her brother. Within a short time, he excelled himself in the sciences of 'Tarka', 'Laksana,' 'Pramāṇa' and Literature. Even the best scholars began to praise him With the spread of his reputation, debaters came to compete with him and challenge him Consequently he defeated them in Dhavalakapur, Kashmir, Satyapur, Chitrakūta, Gopagiri, Dhārā and Bhrügukéétra. Being satisfied with the wonderful power of Rāmac'andra, the Guru installed him on the seat of Ac'arya and gave him the name of Dévagiri.
Then, the Guru travelled from there to Dhavalakapur. In that town a Jaina named Udaya had prepared the image of Simandhara Swami Making up his mind to get the installation ceremony performed by some pious Guru, Udaya kept a fast for three days and prayed to the Goddess-S'āsanadévi. Śâsanadévi directed him to get the ceremony performed at the hands of Déva Sūri, and hence, being requested by Udaya, Déva Sūri performed the installation ceremony.
With an intention of travelling towards Nagapur (Nagor), he came to Mount Abu and being entreated both by the Jains and the pupils he began to climb upon the mountain With the Guru, the Mantri (secretary or the priest) of the temple of Ambadevi also was climbing. He on the way was stung by a serpent, and under the influence of poison, he fainted. The Guru, caused to sprinkle the water with which his (the Guru's) feet were washed and he was free from the effect of venom. Then, the pilgrimage was finished and he prayed to the goddess
-5
Jain Education International
For Private Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
