Tirthankar Mahavir and His Sarvodaya Tirth

Author(s): Hukamchand Bharilla, K C Lalwani
Publisher: Kundkund Kahan Digambar Jain Trust

Page 35

BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRA: PREVIOUS BIRTHS
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was shining in the spiritual world of the land. At that time, there reigned a Vidyadhara named Mayurgriva at Alakapura near the northern range of the Vijayardha mountain. The name of his wife was Nılanjana. Because of his sinful deeds, the soul of Visakhananda passed through many low existences, and then, because of a turn of karma, was born as Asvagriva, a son unto the Vidyadhara couple. He was a Prati-Narayana and so he conquered three segments of the world and ruled over it as semi-Cakravarti. Now there was a severe war between Narayana Tripristha and Prati-Narayana Asvagriva, and, as per destiny, Tripristha killed Asvagriva and replaced him as semiCakravarti monarch.
Emperor Tripristha was the master of a great fortune. He had a harem of 16000 queens who were as charming as the divine girls But though he was in command of the best worldly opportunity, he did not utilise his chance for the upliftment of his soul. He wasted his whole life in running the administration and in enjoying pleasures. After death, he was born in the seventh hell as an infernal being What else could have
the outcome of a worldly life dedicated to transitory joy ?
Having spent his time there, he became a terribly fierce lion on the Singhagiri mountain on the bank of the Ganga He spent his life in cruel deeds and, after death, he was born as an infernal being in the first hell. Being released from there, he came again on the top of the Himavan mountain as a lion with glittering mane This was the tenth life backside of Bhagavan Mahavira, and from this life onward started his reform
This fierce lion was extremely cruel and powerful One day, the said lion with terrible jaws had killed a deer pierced it and was devouring its flesh when descended there from the sky two Carana monks who were exceedingly tranquil and kind. Addressing the lion they said, “Oh king of the animals ! By not caring for your soul, upto this time you have suffered enormons pains Just as to satisfy an insignificant selfish object you have killed this deer, in the same manner, in your previous births, you had perpetrated innumerable acts of violence and cruelty for the gratification of five senses In your life as