Tirthankar Mahavir and His Sarvodaya Tirth

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

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TIRTHANKARA MAHAVIRA AND HIS SARVODAYA TIRTHA
Candanbala was the youngest daughter of king Cetaka While at play in the palace garden, youthful Candanbala was stolen by a wicked Vidyadhara but on the instant return of his wife, the coward Vidyadhara discarded her in a forest There a Bhila (tribal) caught her and sold her to a merchant named Brisabhadatta The name of the merchant's wife was Subhadra When she saw this girl in her home, she was somewhat al at the thought that her husband might have fallen a prey to the dame's beauty Though of the age of her daughter, she looked on her as a co-wife So she started becoming rude to her and her rudeness went on increasing
Subhadra tied her with a chain and offered her the worst food in the household (Kudai rice mixed with a fermented stuff) in an earthen pot Taking it to be a misfortune which had come upon her, she was spending her days with perfect calm And in fact under the situation, this was all she could do
One day monk Vardhamana came to the city of Kausambi where Candana was to search for food as per his conditions. He was passing by the house where Candana lived like a prisoner This was a lucky turn of her fortune. When she saw the monk, she was thrilled. She ran out to the monk to pay him her homage and obeisance She did not feel even for a moment that she was in chains As she ran towards the monk, lo, behold, what did happen ? People saw to their surprise that the chains with which she was held captive had broken down, and she was free Her tonsured head had now an overgrowth of hairs As the people were busy witnessing the magic, Candana was paying her homage and obeisance and begging for the acceptance of her offer of food. She did not think for a moment what she had to offer is only the Kudai rice.
The monk accepted the offer of food, took it and turned his steps towards the forest The homage paid by her was a grand success Candana was now free At a later date, Candana found shelter in Mahavira's order of monks to be the head of the nuns.
People talked loudly of the great power of the monk and of good luck of Candana Everywhere on that day in cottages and