________________
159
place, the latter insisted upon his staying longer. The Sūriji then acquainted him with the real state of things and promised to send to him Sri Vijayasena Sari. At the King's beseachment to keep there some well-read disciple till Śri Vijayasena Sûri's arrival, the Sūri asked Śriji Śânticandra to remain there.
Sri Santicandra also was not an ordinary man Well-versed in various lores, he could produce a desired influence over anybody. He was able to attend to no less than 108 things at a time. Even before his acquaintance with Emperor Akabar, his erudition had astonished many a ruler. He enraptured the Emperor to such an extent as to be able to make him issue orders against life-destroying in every corner of the empire during the month of the king's birth, and on such other days as Sunday, the day on which the sun passes from Sagittarius into Capricornus, and the like. He also composed a fresh poetic piece named Krparasakosa, which described the noble and kind deeds of Emperor Akabar in 128 verses.
Now, as Sri Hiravijaya Sūriset out, the great King Pratapa, the Sun among the Hindus, wrote a letter to him entreating him to visit Mévăd and propound Dharma. This letter, written in old Mevâdi on Thursday, the 5th of the bright-half of Āśvin in V. S. 1635, is a land-mark in the History of the Jaina Religion.
After Śri Santicandra's departure Sri Jagadcandra and Śri Siddhicandra took his place and continued to make the Emperor's religious stand strong and firm. When occasionally Śri Vijayasena Sūri was praised by them, Akabar was reminded of the promised made by Śrī Hiravijaya Sūri. So, he wrote to the Sūriji requesting him to send Sri Vijayasena Sūri to him as promised, and in response to the same, Vijayasena Sūri set out on the 3rd day of the bright half of the month of Margasirsa in 16.9 V. S Wandering through many villages and towns. he, at last, arrived at Lahore on the 12th of the bright half of Jyèstha.
Printed before
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org