________________
When they finished they all went outside and put their shoes on. They sat on a bench for a while. Ajay said, "Daddy, can you tell us more about the murtis?"
Abhaybhai replied, "The murtis we bow to are the 'Arihants'. They are also known as the 'Tirthankars'. They are the Gods whom Jains worship.
"There have been many, many 'Tirthankars'. The 24 'Tirthankars' in this cycle of time are the ones we know the most about.
The last of these 24 'Tirthankars' was Bhagvan Mahavir. His murti was in the middle. Next to it on your right was the murti of Lord Neminath.
"Do you remember the story of Nem-Rajul?" Ajay and Neela replied, "Of course, daddy. Lord Neminath was Prince Nemikumar."
Abhaybhai continued, "The third murti on your left was that of the first 'Tirthankar', Bhagvan Rushabhdev. I have told you a story about his sons, Bharat and Bahubali."
Neela said, "I remember that story, daddy."
Ajay asked, "Daddy, how do you know whose murti it is? All the murtis in the temple looked alike."
Abhaybhai said, "If you look carefully there is a small figure on the base of each murti. This is the symbol of that particular 'Tirthankar'.
"Each Tirthankar has a separate symbol. Lord Mahavir's symbol is a lion, Lord Neminath's symbol is a conch shell, Lord Rushabhdev's symbol is a bull." Ajay and Neela thought about all this as they walked towards the car. On their way back home Ajay asked, "Daddy, can you tell us more about Bhagvan Mahavir?" Abhaybhai said, "of course I will, but you must remember to ask me when we have more time."
Jain Education International
21
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
