Vijaydharmasuri

Author(s): A J Sunavala
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Page 48

VIII
THE MONK AT THE COURT OF THE
MAHĀRĀJA OF BENARES
The fame and reputation of Dharma Vijaya now rapidly spread in Benares. His learning and eloquence attracted more and more hearers every day. People came from distant parts of the city to hear his sermons. He soon became the talk of the city; and the subjects of his discourses began to be discussed by men of all creeds, even by the Pandits versed in the Vedas. One day, the Mahārāja of Benares sent for him, and the humble and unpretentious sādhu accepted the invitation. The significance of that honour consisted, not in the fact that it was conferred on himself, but in that it was conferred on a Jain monk by a Mahārāja who was himself a very orthodox Hindu, and a strong champion of the Hindu faith. Dharma Vijaya went to the palace with his monks, and there, in the presence of the Mahārāja and the learned Pandits of his court, delivered a sermon which had for its subject the following verse :
पञ्चितानि पवित्राणि सर्वेषां धर्मचारिणाम।
अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं त्यागो मैथुनवर्जनम् ॥१॥ "These five are sacred for all religious men: Noninjury, Truthfulness, Non-stealing, Renunciation and Celibacy.