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36
BHĀNUCANDRA CARITRA
they visited Satrunjaya. He further ordered him to inform his father, the then Governor of Gujarāt, of this royal order, by a written order and hand it over to Bhānucandra, “the best of the ascetics". So saying the Emperor at once repaired to his harem. In accordance with the royal wish an order was given to the master, who at once despatched it to his guru Hira-Vijaya Sūri. (44).
The Kharatara Jainas were overwhelmed with jealousy at this achievement of the Upādhyāya. They approached the Emperor and made humble entreaties to him to the effect that the Satrunjaya Hills should be made over to them as they were whole-heartedly devoted to his welfare and blessed him. Thereupon the Emperor asked them where the Hill was situated. At this very moment the Saikh made an inadvertent remark that the tax levied there brought a good slice of revenue to the treasury. The Emperor on hearing this, ordered that no tax should be levied from any monk, who went as a pilgrim there. After that he retired to his seraglio. From that time onwards, the master (Bhānucandra), more determined than ever to secure the Hill for his group, launched on the programme of propitiating the Saikh with a view to convert him to his way of thinking about the Hill (48).
In Kāśmira there is a large lake named Jaina. Lankām extending over some 55 Kosas. Desirous of visiting it, the Emperor accompanied by feudatory chiefs and
45 The Kharataras were with Akbar when he went to Kasmir. This is supported by the
Kharatara books. Samayasundara & Jaina monk belonging to this group, says in the beginning of his Aglalaksi that Akbar started for Kāśmira from Lahore on Sråvana Sukla 13, S. Y. 1649 (Thursday 10th August 1592), and first halted at Rämdāsa Garden at Lähore. From "Karmacandra Vans'ołkirtanakam-Kūvyam" Verses 408 etc., wo find that Mänasiṁha and Dungara alias Harşa-Višala (monks of the Kharatara group) accompanied the Emperor to Kasmir and that before Akbar arrived at Rohitās, he asked Karmacandra to guard his seraglio, and he returned from Kāśmir to Lahore (on 29-12-1592 A, D, corresponding with
Friday Paoşa Šukla S. Y. 1649). 46 Jaina Lankā:-Zain Lanka. "His Majesty, determined on his return, on 20th of Aban,
(1st November 1692 A. D.) set out in a boat, committing the government again to the care of Yusuf Mirza Rawasi. On his return journey, a reservoir named Zain Lanka was visited by him. Together with some incidents that took place after that, it is described by one of the company-Nizamuddin Ahmed-as follows:-"This reservoir is enclosed on the West. North and South by mountains and it is 30 Kos-60 miles in circumference. The river Bahat (Jihlām) passes through this lake. Its water is very pure and deep. Sultan Zainul Abidin carried out a pier of stone to the distance of 180 feet into the lake and upon it erected a high building. Nothing like this lake and building is to be found in India. After visiting this edifice, he (Akbar) went to Barahmulah, where he disembarked and proceeded by land to Pakhli.... At Pakhli the Emperor was dotained nearly a month by the snows and rains. He subsequently made a stay of thirteen days in Rohtás, left it on 9th December and arrived at Lahore about 29th December 1592" (Noer Vol. II, P. 225-6 ) See also Elliot's History of India Vol. V. p. 463. Abul Fazl, while describing the third visit in 1597 A, D, refers to Jain Lanka :-“On the 6th he went to Sihabuddinpur and from there he proceeded to Jain Lanka. When he came to the lake, there were high waves, the boat was taken to the bank, and he rested by the skirt of the mountain. On the 20th, he started in a vessel prepared for him, and witnessed the spectacle of the river Behat (Jhelam)". Akbarnāmā Vol. III, p. 1088.
