________________
INITIATION, AND OMNISCIENCE OF ŚRI PĂRŚVA 391 of the Mlecchas, against the cakrin.347 He, an ocean of compassion, able to grind mountains with his fist, does not reduce me to ashes. Nevertheless, I am afraid of Indra Dharaṇa. I can not remain in the three worlds because of the crime against him, the lord of the three worlds. Where shall I go for a refuge, if this lord is a refuge?”
Thus reflecting, he destroyed at once the expanse of water; terrified, he went to the Master himself, bowed, and said: “If there is no anger on your part, Lord, toward me committing a crime, I am delighted; nevertheless, I am terrified by my own act. After doing such a wicked act, shameless, I ask you: Save me, save me, miserable, afraid of falling, Lord of the World.” With these words, the god Meghamālin asked forgiveness of the Lord of the World, bowed to him, and remorsefully went to his own home. Knowing that the Lord was free from attacks, after hymning him and bowing to him, the Naga-king went to his own house. The dawn appeared.
His omniscience (296-310) The Lord of the World went from that place to the city Vārāṇasi and stood at the foot of a dhātaki in the garden Āśramapada. At that time when eighty-four days had passed since the day of the Master's initiation, his destructive karmas broke. In the forenoon on the fourth of the dark half of Caitra, the moon being in Viśākhā, Śri Pārsva's omniscience arose. The gods, Sakra, et cetera knew it by the shaking of their thrones and made Sri Pārśva Svāmin's samavasaraņa at once.
Attended by the gods shouting“ Hail! Hail!, the Lord entered the samavasaraņa by the east door. The Master circumambulated the great caitya-tree, twenty-seven bows tall, like the sun the peak of Meru. Saying, “ Homage to the congregation,” Lord Pārsva sat down on the principal jeweled lion-throne, facing the east. At once by his power the Vyantara-gods created images of the Master in the other three
347 288. See I, p. 242 ff.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org