Book Title: Sthaviravali
Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay
Publisher: Jain Granth Prakashak Sabha

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Page 220
________________ 199 eustom, to say out the truth as it stands when the dangerous misfortune of decapitation faces us; otherwise, we cannot say it out under any other circumstance. I will disclose the truth to him and my life will be saved." Thinking of his own welfare, the Upādhyaya said "Under-neath the sacrificial post, an image of an & Arbat, a Tirtha i kara of the Jainas, bas been erected and it is worshipp-ed secretely, down below. By the supernatural influence of the presence of this image, all our religious ceremonies relating to sacrifices are accomplished without any mishap, to our entire satisfaction." “ Otherwise, the great sage Siddha-putra and the most devout Nāradaji will certainly ruin all the preparations for a sacrifice without the presence of an image of a Tirthankara there." The Upadhyāya then removed the sacrificial post and having shown bim a diamond-image of the Tîrthankara carefully preserved there, said, “The doctrine preached by the Tirthařkaras represented by this image, is the real essence of True Knowledge. Sacrifices are only degrading. The doctrine preached by the Tîrtha karas is full of compassion towards living beings. How can there possibly be any probability of a true Dharma in sacrifices involving the destruction of innumerable living beings ? Alas! it is a pity, that we make a living by entrapping innocent people in our deceitful net-work of false belief i Oworthy man! therefore, you carefully study the principles preached by the Tirthankaras, become a devout follower of those principles and free us from our sins. O fortunate man! I have cheated you for a long time for the sake of filling my belly. Now, I am no longer your Upādhaya. May you be happy!” Sayyambhava bhatta, bowing down before him, said "By explaining me the true essence, you have really become my Upādhāya (teacher)" and with these words he gave away all

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