Tale of Shree Nabhakraj

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

Page 45

cow and killing of a woman. Then, the King engaged the workmen - craftmen and experts to erect a temple of the God. As per sermons from his preceptor, he started the penance of fasting on alternate days for the period of eight months. The temple of the God was erected in 8 months. With great celebration he got installed the idol of the God Shri Adinath made of gold He observed - performed and completed the remaining penance by worshipping the Jineshwardevi.e. the God, for three times a day.
Thus, the King having become free from the sins of the destruction of teerth (place of pilgrimage) left for the pilgrimage of Shree Shatrunjaya with great pomp and show and on an auspicious day & time alongwith Shree Sangh (i.e. the Jain ladies and gentlemen, and with preceptors saints-monks-sages and proceeded with the soldiers, like Bharat Chakravarty (Emperor ruling all over the world). On his first departure, four cats came across his path. He inquired with the preceptors about its' consequences. The preceptors replied, 'It is an indication of the obstacles of your sins of killing 4 lives including a child, but with your firm mind on the path of religious merits, your desired target shall be certainly fulfilled - achieved.' The King accepted the words of those preceptors. With deep and firm devotion for the God Aãdinãth he reached near Shree Shatrunjaya Teerth by constant journey.
JINWAR - POOJA On their way, when Shree Shatrunjaya - holy place of pilgrimage was visible through its' peak, the King and his soldiers halted at that place. He became clean by taking bath etc. and placed the idol of Shree Arihantdev (God) with great honour and performed snãtra poojā alongwith Jain-followers with great pomp and style Thereafter, he worshipped the God by all different and various methods, rites and rituals. Then, in a plate of gems he drew eight auspicious figures-signs-symbols-such as SwastikNandyavart-matsya-yugal (fish couple) - darpan (mirror) Kumbh (an earthen pot) - Shree Vardhmãn (holy Symbol) and Shree Vatsa Tholy Symbol) by Yavalas (barley) made of gold and silver in front of the God and joyfully sang prayers ang praises of God by 108 stanzas of meaningful words with deep faith-devotion-intimacy
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