Temple of Satrunjaya

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 48

ed Gopatvas1. Their most celebrated order82...washed by the milk of the kindness of Hira Vijaya, clean as a royal place blessed by the greatest and most brilliant lights-was the seat of the greatest prowess.
From the country of Gurjara, Srimat Sahi Akbar summoned with honours the greatest of Suris to the good land of Mewata...who with their illuminating speech, like the Sun in the firmament, removed the total darkness and everywhere filled the world with glory. These (Suris) filling the eyes of the people (like a family of Koka birds) with happiness, by the power of their discourse enlightened Fathpura, with delight in (S) 1639...the wilderness of lotuses.
The Emperor, Srimat Sahi Akbar the hero, who caused his commands to be borne as a garland would be on the head of all kings, of delightsome heart, cheered by the collective eloquence of (the Suris), and who has ordered the great drum to be sounded throughout all the provinces, every six months for forgiveness, caused the sin-destructive exhortations (to abstain from destroying life, etc) to prevail. Akbar, the Lord of the earth, gladdened by (their) instruction, abandoned all property lapsing (to him) from the people of his territories through failure of heirs, and the tax jijiyā. The Emperor (Sahi), the flood of whose mind was cleared by the Kataka83 seed of the voice (of the Suris), who devoted his soul to the sinless wife-morality, and who was full of mercy, for the love of his subjects remitted the tax (sulka84) which other kings are unwilling to do. In the same way he often set at liberty many collections of (imprisoned) birds and animals. Gratified by their eloquent discourse, rendering worthless, in comparison, streams of ambrosia itself, the prosperous Akbar, the Lord of the Earth, with a heart full of joy, not only remitted the large income derived as taxes from the mountain, but to gain their hearts, he presented to the Jainas the mountain of Satrunjaya-the greatest of tirthas. The Sahi gladdened by their speech, his heart moved by kindness, caused a library to be added, full of endless learning-a house, as it were, of Sarasvati. His mind purified by their austere virtues, his heart cleansed, the Emperor paid daily honours to the saints (Bhagavatas). The Sahi Akbar, the
1 That is Hari became a Gopa or Goala; Indra is called Gopa because he has Kamadhenu or go-the cow of plenty; and the sun has rays (go), or his daughters are cows (go). The whole is a play on the various meanings of the
word go.-B.D.
82 Some letters wanting in the copy.--B.D.
* The Strychnos Potatorum, a little of the seed of which when ground and added
to muddy water, renders it clear as if it were filtered. It has been found very convenient when travelling.-B.D.
84 Tax, toll, duty on goods, custom.-H. H. Wilson.
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