Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 133

98
CHAPTER EIGHT
Padma had his mother's chariot with the statue of the Arhat make the circuit of his city, and it was worshipped by all the people like his rule on earth. Suvratasūri with Padmottara and others was in that same city at the time of the chariot-procession. An advancement of the Jaina doctrine, as well as of his own family, was made by Cakrin Padma, distinguished by marvelous conduct. He had lofty shrines, like newly-risen mountains, built by crores in villages, mines, cities, towns approached by land and water, et cetera.,
After wandering with his guru and observing the highest vows, Muni Padmottara, who had become omniscient, attained emancipation. Muni Vişnukumāra practiced extraordinary penance and acquired many labdhis 82 by the power of penance. Tall as Meru, going through the air like Garuda, changing his form like a god, handsome as Mīnaketu (Kāmadeva)—he was able to assume many appearances, these and others; but he did not. For there is no use of the labdhis by sādhus inopportunely.
One day Acārya Suvrata, attended by sādhus, settled in Hastināpura to pass the rainy season. When he knew that the ācārya had come, the minister Namuci wished to take revenge for the former hostility and declared to Mahāpadma:
“Grant me the boon formerly promised, best of kings. Among the noble there is no loss of something promised, like a deposit.” “Ask it,” the king said. He said, “I wish to make a sacrifice. Grant me your kingdom until it is finished. Remember your promise." Keeping his promise, the king installed the minister Namuci on the throne and he himself went to the women's apartments. Namuci left the city for the sacrificial enclosure deceitfully and was installed (as sacrificer), wicked, evil-minded like a crane.88 All the subjects came to hold his coronation
82 139. See I, pp. 75 ff. 83 147. The crane is a symbol of deceit.