Tale of Shree Nabhakraj

Author(s): Merutungacharya, Gunsundarvijay
Publisher: Divya Darshan Trust

Page 22

The Importance / Grace / Glory of the Teerth (Place of pilgrimage) - SHREE SHATRUNJAYA
In the ancient times, there lived Shree Nābhi - a Kulkar; - in this Bharatkshetra. He had a wife, namely, Marudevã who was good - charactered and whom he loved very much, God Shree Rushabhdev got born in her womb. At that time, from the very long period, the people were absolutely ignorant about the dharma (Religion) and karma (deed/action) - as a result of the kaal (i.e. timecycle). Shree Rushabh showed the path of both dharm (Religion) and Karma (deed/action) to the people. Born in this place, the God abolished the path and practice of immoral behaviour such as marriage between brother and sister etc., and he rooted and established the path of justice. The first King of this era Shree Rushabh got married with two girls - Sunandã and Sumangalã. As a result of this marriage - they got hundred sons. He got initiated as a Jain muni (monk) after dividing his empire and enthroning his 100 sons as King of the different provinces. He gradually obtained, enlightenment by performing severe penance and meditation and became Kevalgyānee - Omniscient. He sermoned the noble souls of Bharatkshetra about the ten-fold yatidharm (religion of munis & saints.) including forgiveness and politeness,
This God of the gods - the ultimate saviour visited the holy mountain Shree Shatrunjaya which is the beauty of Saurashtra (of Gujarat state in India) for crores of times. His samovasaran (the place where sermons by God are given and which is created =by deities under Rãyan tree (A type of tree) Here, He utterred the sweet and melodious speech which spreaded over a vast area of One Yojan (i.e. 1 yojan = about 8 miles). He addressed to his first Gandhar disciple shree Pundarik Swămi and said - "O Gandhar! This Shree Giriraj (mountain) is beginningless means mostlygenerally Eternal, no doubt there will be change-fluctuationreduction etc. as a result of effect of the kããl. (time-cycle)" At the moment, (in the time of God Shree Rushabhdevswami) it is spreaded over 50 yojan about (= 400 miles) at its' top, it admeasures 10 yojan (80 miles) and it's height is of 8 yojan ( = 64 miles). By influence of Kããl, it will gradually turn into size of seven hands (= approx 14 inch) and will regain its' prior size.
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