________________
222
CHAPTER ONE
saw Amitatejas. The great vidyā, Mahājvālā, was told by Amitatejas, “You must bring back this wretch, even from a distance." Then the vidyā, destructive of all vidyās, followed Aśanighosa like an angry fate. Fleeing from her, he did not find shelter anywhere and entered the southern half of Bharata, seeking protection.
An elephant-banner 282 had been set up then on Mt. Sīman in the shrine of Lord Sri Rşabha at the place of the samavasaraņa. There the Baladeva Acala, fully conversant with the ocean of pūrvas, 288 absorbed in pure meditation, undertook pratimă for one night. Then from the destruction of ghātikarmas, the great muni's omniscience arose, a mirror for the reflection of the universe. Gods and asuras came together quickly like servants, wishing to make his omniscience-festival. Abhinandana and Jagannandana, Vahnijațin, Trijațin, Arkakīrti, and Puspaketu; and flying rşis, Vimalamati and others, circumambulated Bala, bowed, and sat down.
Asanighosa, terrified by Mahājvālā's appearance, immediately took refuge with Acala, the sole pool of the nectar of tranquillity. Mahājvālā abandoned Aśanighosa and returned. Even of Indra's thunderbolt there is no manifestation in a kevalin's assembly. The vidyā went to Amitatejas and told him the whole story, ashamed of her own failure. When he had heard the story, Amitatejas and King Srivijaya, also, rejoiced like a peacock at thunder. After giving instructions to Mārici, "Take Sutārā from that city and bring her quickly," his mind filled with eagerness, Amitatejas went with his soldiers and King Srivijaya to Mt. Siman by aerial car, swift as the wind. There, after worshipping Rşabhanātha's image first, they worshipped Baladeva and sat down before him.
282 360. A gajadhvaja is one of the 4 banners regularly set up in a samavasarana. See Samayasaranastutio 13 and IA, vol. and 153 ff. This sloka about the gajadhvaja seems to have no connection with the story.
888 361. The 14 pūrvas, part of the original canon.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
