________________
CHAPTER VII SUVIDHINĀTHACARITRA I praise the Holy Puşpadanta's 466 teaching, destroyer of evil, spotless, to be borne on the head by the three worlds like a wreath of flowers. I, gifted with powerful intelligence by his power, celebrate the blameless life of the Lord, the ninth Arhat.
Incarnation as Mahāpadma (3-13) There is a city Puņďarskiņi in the rich province Puşkalāvati in the East Videhas in the half 466 of Puşkaravaradvipa. In this city Mahapadma was king, deep as the pool Mahāpadma on Mt. Mahāhima. Dharma, accepted from birth, increased gradually in his childhood and youth along with physical beauty. He was pained by even a moment which was deprived of self-control, like a money-lender by money which fails to draw interest daily. Discharging religious duties, he performed his royal duties, like a traveler taking a drink of water when crossing a river on the road. Wise, devoid of negligence, he preserved completely his layman's duties spotless as his own family. Filled with contentment generally, he was not satisfied in dharma. He considered others, even though they had little dharma, as superior to himself. From a desire to cross existence he took the vow of mendicancy, like a divine weapon for crossing a battle, under Guru Jagannanda. Successful in lay-duties, he kept the vow firmly, just as one who has undertaken samlekhana observes a fast that results in death. By very severe penances, ekāvalī,
466
I. Another name of Suvidhinātha. 3. The half that belongs to the Manuşyaloka. See p. 116.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
