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16. JAINA RELIGIOUS AND MORAL STORIES
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but remained indifferent for she knew that Brahman did not figure among the sixty-three Famous Persons recognised by the Jaina scriptures.
The Vidyadhara then appeared in the southern quarter of the city and attracted great attention by assuming the form of Vişņu, lying on the coils of the lord of serpents, and wearing a ruby crown surmounted by a large spray of Pārijāta blossoins. Brahman, seated on a lotus emerging from Vişnu's navel, was reciting the latter's thousand names; Indra and the goddess of wealth were caressing his feet; the captive wives of demons were waving fly-whisks; and Garuda was maintaining order among the assembled gods. The apparition displayed the usual emblems of Vişņu: the quoit, the conch, the lotus and the Nandaka sword. Reports of this strange phenomenon were brought to Revati, but she evinced no curiosity, and said, “There are, indeed, nine Vişnus or Vāsudevas known as Ardhacakravartins in Jaina lore, but they are no longer in existence; the one must, therefore, be a magician come to delude the people.
The Vidyādhara appeared next in the western quarter of the city and assumed the guise of Siva, mounted on a gigantic bull, and accompanied by Pārvati. The apparition was furnished with the usual equipment of Śiva: the drum, the bow, the sword, the axe, the trident and the club; and attendants such as Analodbhava, Nikumbha, Kumbhodara, Heramba and Bhingiriţi were paying homage to the deity. News of this strange incarnation of Siva or Rudra came in due course to Revatī, but she took no notice of it and said, “There are, indeed, some Rudras mentioned in the scriptures as creating obstacles in the path of religious austerities, but they are dead and gone as a result of their actions ; so this must be some one else who is disturbing the peace by his magical tricks”.
The demi-god then resorted to the northern quarter, and appeared in the form of a Jaina Tirthamkara, seated on his throne in a marvellous audience-hall, furnished with perfumed chambers, pillars, tanks, gates, Stūpas, flags, incense, water-jars, and various other receptacles. There gods and mortals participated in magnificent festivities, and false Jainas like Bhavyasena were also celebrating religious festivals. The show, however, produced no impression on Revati, who knew that the Jaina scriptures recognised only twenty-four Tirthamkaras, and the latter having attained salvation, the new impersonation must be the work of some adept in magic.
Unable to shake the faith of Revati by any of these devices, the Vidyadhara at last revealed himself before her, and respectfully delivered Munigupta's message which she received with the utmost veneration and joy.
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