Book Title: Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 5
Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

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Page 412
________________ 40 c'andra Sūri, Malaya-gırıjı ana and Dévéndra Sūriji were prepared to accomplish it. The work of accomplishment was not simple. The help of a woman of Padmini type (Hastini, Padmini, C'itriin and Sankhini are the 4 types of women who are classified according to their various qualities and demeanour) was essential to it. Hence all the three started to search for her They reached Kumārgrām where a washerman was busy washing his clothes. He had spread a garment to dry and round it large black bees were humming. Taking this to be an indication of having a Padmini woman in the town, they inquired about her and went to her house. They preached to her husband. On being asked why they had been there, they said to the husband, "We need the help of your wife for achieving knowledge, but the method of deriving her assistance is so shameful that we dare not mention it." Hearing this, the man said, "Mention it without reserve" Then they said, "In order to achieve knowledge, we shall sit naked and your wife also should stand in front of us naked, while you should stand with a an unsheathed sword in order to cut off the head of any one of us if our mind is moved or affected by the temptation of lust." The husband of Padmini agreed to it and showed his willingness to help. Then, in the act of achieving sacred lore in that way, none of them was affected, with the result that the god Vimaleswar appeared before them, and asked them to have a boon. Dèvéndra Suri requested him to bring the Jinaprāsāda (the Jaina temple) of Kantipuri to Śrisâ. Malayagiri Sūri requested him to give him the ability of writing easy commen tary on the principles of religion or philosophy; and Hémac'andrâ cârya requested the god to grant him the power of pleasing sovereigns The question why Hémac'andrac'ārya requested the good to have the power to appease sovereigns is likely to arise and produce a sort of doubt in us, but in those days, all sorts of importance were based on royal authority The person who desired to have fame must prove his worth at the royal court, he, who hankered after honour, must try to get it from the King. He who Jain Education International For Private Personal Use Only was www.jainelibrary.org

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