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Rituals and Healing: The Case of.... : 71
Than Singh together with others performed the ceremony in honour of Jain Tīrthanńkar Suparśavnatha. Both Akabar and Salim stood in front of the Jina idol and listened to the recitation of Bhaktāmara Stotra, a sacred\ hymn in Sanskrit by Mānatunga Ācārya in honour of Ādinātha Jina. It began with the word Bhaktāmara by Bhānucandra. The ceremony established the ritual supremacy of the Jain ritual practices, yet material hierarchical status of the royal family was not lost in the process. As soon as the ceremony was over the Emperor stepped into the outer court (ranga- mandapa) and stood there in front of Bhānucandra. Prince Salim stood near him. Than Singh presented elephants and horses to the Emperor. Mantri Karamacandra followed suit, and presented to the heir apparent a pearl necklace worth thirteen hundred gold moharas. Other members of the Jain community also showered presents of gold ornaments and gold-embroidered cloths. Then the Emperor took some snatrawater from gold pot and reverently applied it to his eyes and passed the rest to the harem. He then made gifts of gold moharas to all and permitted by the pontiff returned to his palace. From that time onwards the Emperor and his son were blessed with added happiness.20 Thus the spiritual superiority of the Jain priests regained through the ritual healing of the evils looming large over the royal family was lost in the temporal authority of the royalty. This supremacy was recognized through the gifts given by the Jain community members to the Emperor and his son. The miraculous rituals and healings had to be highlighted to construct the divine images' of the Jain pontiffs. Sacrifice by the devoteel beneficiary was an inherent part of the ritual and healing. In western port city of Khambat (now Cambay) a couple Ratanapāl Dośī and Tanka had a son Rāmaji suffering from an unknown disease. In one of the visits of Jain pontiff Hīravijaya Sūrī to the city, Ratanapāl requested the Sūrī that if his son is cured of his disease he (the son) would be made disciple of the Sūrī. The pontiff performed certain rituals and within few days the boy was cured of his disease. But this contract of cure in lieu of a perspective disciple could not
