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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
263
sub-consciously, the practice of Bhaktapratyakhyāna as obtained in his time in Karnataka:
In the story of Gurudatta Bhatāra (St.No.14) the large snake (the former King Uparichara), which had already adopted the lay disciple's vows, on learning from the teacher Sarasvata that it had only fifteen days life remaining ahead, adopted Samnyasana by being indifferent to the body and abstaining from (all kinds of) food' unto dcath (Jāvajjīvam). The teacher directed prince Anantavírya (the eldest son of king Uparichara) that the snake had adopted Samnyāsana and, hence, it should be adored. Anantavīrya had a large and decorated pavilion erected, set an image of the Jina and offered worship three times a day, while thc teacher worshipped the Aradhanā, studied it for himself (Svadhyāya) and commenced preaching the same. Several verses in Prakril, Sanskrit and Kannada are quoted. Most of them eulogise Samnyasana, Panditamarana, and Samadhimarana. A few of them hold out the insatiability of sensual pleasures. Some speak of the greatness of the Jaina Law and the rest describe the cfficacy of Pañcanamaskāra and Bhāvanamaskāra.
In this part of the story some of the details regarding the practice of the vow are very interesting and they appear to have been in vogue in Karnataka in those days
(i) In the Bhagavati Aradhana we find the provision of a pavilion (mandapa)" . But here the large pavilion (piriya pandaram) is beautifully decorated with various kinds of cloths, banners etc.
(ii) The Bhagavati Aradhanā states!? that the Ksapaka being a tirtha, people from surrounding areas move there, pay homage to him and acquire metit. But it does not mention anything like the setting of the image of the Jina, offerings of worship13 (mahamahime and puje) thrce times a day, etc.
(iii) The words 'having worshipped the Aradhana (aradhaneyam archisi) etc., clearly indicate that in those days a copy of the sacred scriptural work was possessed and preserved
by the Niryāpakācārya and relevant protions from it were preached Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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