Do the souls not get great fruit of even a slight worship performed to Lord Jinesvara ? To explain : a pumpkin gourd creeper, though small in size, present big fruits to its nourisher.

Even a little service to Lord Mahavir brings better results. In this regard the Gujarat King Kumarapala born of Caulukya dynasty and the Staunch devotee of Lord Mahavira is celebrated as an example.

There lived a Ksatriya called Jaitra who was surrounded by his servant - plunderers in the slum area situated in Malava region.

Though kind by nature used to being in conact with thieve, he looted many caravans & enjoyed
additions.

Once a merchant named Jesala along with hunderds of other merchants with him was proceeding with a desire to trade to some city carrying ten thousands beasts loaded with goods on their backs. wicked robbers came to know of it.

Jaitra - Kshatriya got all the traders robbed by his robbers. Then their leader Jesala being extremely angry returned to his city.

The group leader - Jesala reached the city, requested the king and taking king's army with him, returned to the robber's colony and killed all the arrogant robbers.

The extremely cruel merchant chief even the kid of Jaitra Ksatriya and returned to his city with all his wealth recovered.

There the King decried Jesala as one who committed the act of infanticide. So out of detachment, he became a monk and began to practise austerity.

Then Jaitra Ksatriya, desirous of living, emerged out of the adversity any how and came to the city named Urangabala in Andhra.

In Urang abala city Jaitra Kshatriya having no food-provision, and hence having been distressed and facing poverty got himself employed as a servant to the Merchant named Odhara.

On hearing constantly the discourse from Acarya Sri Yasobhadra that Jaitra Ksatriya became religious minded.

I shall never kill innocent creatures. I shall never tell a lie- such and the like vows Jaitra Kshatriya took before Acarya Sri Yasovijaya.

Once, on the eve of an annual celebration master Odhara, putting on neat and well washed clothes, accompained by Jaitra Ksatriya, went to the Jain temple to venerate Lord Mahavira.

On seeing all the people there in nice clothes and ornaments performing adoration, Jaitra Ksatriya began to think this way.

Oh ! these are fortunate in this birth due to their precious good actions and indeed, their next

birth will be a fortunate one.

Magha also says (in his Sisupalavadham i.e. Narada's statement to Lord Visnu) : "O

Lord your
vision in the present birth destroys sins of the embodied souls; it is the root-cause of

forthcoming blessed life and the present birth is, even the result of good actions in

the previous life. So your vision exhibits the fitness of the souls."

So I will also adore Lord Jinesvara very soon, because the adoration to Lord Jinesvara

only, is the root cause of all riches.

Thinking Thus he, after having purchased flowers by nine coins earned in gambling,

worshipped Lord Jinesvara.

He became purified through faith raised to adore Lord Jinesvara and got absorbed in Lora's

adoration. He observed a fast also on the instruction from his holymaster on that very day.

After death Jaitra, reborn as Kumarpala, became the King of Gujarat province. He was a staunch

devotee of Arhat, the master Odhara became Udayana, Jesala became Jaysimha, the leader

of Sangha, and Yashobhadra was reborn as Hemacandracarya.

For the first time king Kumarpal proclaimed unprecedented non-violence in eighteen regions

like Konkana Maharastra, Kila, Jalandhara, Padalaksa, Mewar, Diu, Kasitata, Karnataka, Gujarat,

Lata, Saurastra, Kaccha, Sindh, Ucca, Bhabberi, Marwar and Malava, during even the adverse

period of Kali era.

In ancient times King Srenika, whom Lord Mahavira preached religious sermons and who had

the wise minister named Abhaya, could not enforce Non-killing, while King Kumarapala receiving

religious preaching from Rev. Hemacandracarya, did it effortlessly. May Rev. Hemacandracarya

be victorious.

O King Kumarapala ! be blessed. Devendra - the king of the heaven bows and prays

with bliss to Rev. Hemacandracarya the preceptor of the king of Srinagara (Ahmedabad).

"Through enforcement of Non-killing, you have bestowed fearlessness upon the deespotted

moon, the masculine baffalo of the god - Yama, acqua creatures of Varunadeva and a fish, a boar

as well as a tortoise of Lord Vishnu - well done ! bravo !

Thus implementing the sovereign ruling of the religion for his whole life King Kumarapala

(as a result of that deed) will be born as the foremost Ganadhara of Lord Padmanabha Jinesvara.

Thus, a peak of prosperity results from even a little (simple) adoration of Lord Jinesvara.

Therefore, among all religious rituals Lord Jinesvara's adoration should be inevitably performed.

Men achieve happiness and wealth merely out of desire to bow at the feet of lord Jinesvara.

For example even a frog desirous of bowing at the feet of Lord Mahavira became an

affluent god in the heaven.

In the city named Rajagrha there lived a wealthy jeweler merchant called Nandi who

received the initiation (of at house holder) and Jaina used to practice it daily in the

following manner.

He observing daily religious rites like samayika, pratikramana, pausadha etc. and

being keen for salvation used to spena his time.

Once in summer he observed three fasts with pausadha. By the end of the three fasts

he felt at night thirsty and began to think.

The wealth of those who get wells, ponds etc. filled with water is praise worthy as

it serves all the beings.

After that Nandi Manikar sheth after a accomplishing pausadha in the morning,

ended fasting and got a beautiful - well shaped well constructed.

Spending much money he got constructed the free-food-supply-centers, hermitages,

temples and gardens all around the step-well.

Due to his being attached to that well, his respect for religion got decreased and in his

old age he was afflicted by and suffered from sixteen types of diseases difficult to be cured.

Sixteen diseaserlike coughing Ashthama, fever, burning with pain in stomach, fistula,

anaamin, digestion, dim sight, backache, lack of appetite, itching, dropsy, headache,

ear pain and leprosy are enumerated as serious diseases in the scriptures.

As his mind was deeply attached to that well, the jeweller Nandi was reborn as a frog

in that well. Which is that intelligence who is not ignored by his Karma ?

Once on seeing that well the frog remembered his previous birth. I disrespected the duty

in my past life and therefore I got this result.

Then being detached, that frog began fasting sastha and on the day of breaking fast he

used to drink water with mud which was purified by people's bathing.

Once that frog hearing the here say that Lord Mahavira has arrived in the park (of the city).

the frog set off to bow down to him.

Then the king Srenika also being eager to bow to Lord Mahavira and set out from his capital

with his army of four fold divisions.

And the frog hopping on the way was crushed by the hoofs of the horses of the king srenika

and died. Then he was born as a duty in heaven called Saudhrmakalpa.

There were four thousand Samanika gods under that frog. In fearing on this, one should

know all of his prosperity etc.

Even in the heaven when he came to knows that "Lord Mahavira has come", he with his divine

lustre covering all other lustres, came to bow him.

When Devendras, kings and others were seated on their respective seats, Lord Mahavira

with his speech reaching 8 miles began preaching.

That Dardura (frog) god sitting beside Lord Mahavira showing his leprosy - affected body

to others was anointing Lord Mahavira's body with divine sandal paste.

On the contary King Srenika and others had an impression, "Oh ! this evil-minded one

affected with white leprast is anointing with fluids oozing out from this body" (affected by leprusy)".

Then king Srehika thought, "As soon as this sinister insulting Lord Mahavira goes out from

this place. I will kill him."

On the other hand (while king Srenika was planning to kill Dardura god) Lord Mahavira

uttered following words addressing the king, Abhaya, Saukarika and Ksuta respectively.

(1) You die soon. (2) You live. (3) You live long or die. (4) You may not live or die.

Hearing this the king got very angry.

When the preaching was over, the Dardura god disappeared like the streak of lightening, king
Srenika asked Lord Mahavira, "Please tell me, who was that one affected by leprosy ?"

The wicked man who has humiliated you; his head must be cut off even in the presence of public.

Lord Mahavira spoke : "Oh King, he has not committed any offence, on the contrary he

has anointed my body with sandal wood paste.

Lord Mahavira explained to the king Srenika and others the secret of the sentences

uttered through preaching.

In this world, some like death some prefer life, some love both equally but some like

Dardur a Deva (frog) prefer neither of the two (death or life).

After deviating from Saudharma heaven this Dardura Deva will proceed to Videha territory

and will attain salvation: on hearing such words, all people being wondered went their homes.

Hearing that such is the benefit of meditating only on Lord Mahavira, (you all) try for that so that
you may get blise.

Devadhidev Tirthankar Parshvanath

In the Jambu continent on the sides of the mountain Meru, there is a mountain called 

Samabhutala (level-surfaced). In its 7200 miles territory there are clusters of planets.

Beyond it there are crores of Yojanas, and going beyond them, there are dwellings of gods like

Saudharma and Isana.

Beyond this there is the tenth heaven which is known as Pranata. In this heaven the age 

limit is upto twenty Sagaropama.

After having enjoyed the twenty year's Sagaropama life in the heaven Lord Parsvanatha's soul 

deviated from the heavenly life.

There is a large continent named Jambudvipa having the area of one lakh yojanas (yojana = smiles).

Its circumference has been typically described in scriptures which I am going to say now.

There was a city named Varanasi looking like Indra's city in the celebrated Bharata 

(the country of Bharatas) abounding in full riches.

In that city, the danda (flag-rod) was only on the top of the palace ! and no danda (punishment) 

for people. There were thieves who stole the mind of the learned but there were no thieves 

who stole wealth of others.

How can the city Varanasi be described where the Sun-disc shines as a pot on the top of the palace 

and the beautiful Ganga the river of heaven shines in place of the fluttering flag.

In Varanasi the word like injustice was found only in dictionaries, but was no where among the 

people . There were donors in abundance, but beggars were very few.

There ruled an emperor-like king Asvasena who was being followed by hosts of kings and who was 

deeply engrossed in protecting his people.

King Asvasena's crown-queen named Vama was attractive like Rati (the wife of cupid), and charming 

like Indrani (the wife of Indra) endowed with exuberant beauty, surpassing the heavenly damsel 

Tilottama, the most beautiful among all the ladies with curved brows pleasing with a mass of virtues 

and had a noble heart.

From her womb Lord Sri Parsvanatha was born. In that night Vamadevi saw fourteen dreams.

In the first dream, Vamadevi saw the elephant, in the 2nd auspicious ox, in the 3rd the 

lion with the mane, Mahalaksmi in the 4th, flower garland in the 5th, the moon in the 6th, Sun in 

the 7th and the flag in the 8th dream.

Vamadevi saw an auspicious pitcher in the ninth dream, in the tenth a lake full of lotuses, in the 

eleventh ocean of milk, in the twelth dream a temple, in the thirteenth a heap of jems, and fire 

without smoke in the fourteenth the dream. On seeing these fourteen dreams Vamadevi got up

from dream- state.

On having seen the dreams Vamadevi was pleased. She began to recall the dreams repeatedly 

and started uttering the names of clan-goddesses of Jinesvara. Then she rose from there 

(the bed) and slowly approached the king Asvasen.

Then the queen Vamadevi aroused king Asvasena with sweet-speech from his sleep. The king 

also twisted his limbs out of inertia and arose from sleep.

King Asvasena asked, "Oh Queen, why have you come here now ?" Vamadevi answered, 

"Your Majesty ! I saw fourteen dreams like that of the elephant and other while I was asleep 

in my palace - chamber. Please tell me the indication of it.

King Asvasena said, "Oh innocent queen, you have seen much auspicious dreams. So your 

(new born) son will become a monarch or a tranquil ascetic."

"You are right," said Vamadevi to her righteous husband king ASvasena, accepted his words 

and returned to her chamber.

Next morning were called the experts of the dream - indication who gave the same reply. 

The good have unanimuity in thinking.

Vamadevi did not take extremely astringent, hot, pungent and cold food for protection of her

baby to be born.

Gradually the nine months passed and when all the planets were in high positions, on the tenth 

day of the bright Pausa month of the Hemanta season Vamadevi gave birth to the illustrious 

son Lord Parsvanatha, whose lips were ruddy like the Bimba fruit, face like the moon, complexion 

like a blue lotus, who was soft like the inner stuff of a Banana, who was pleasingly fit to be

respected by gods, demons and people and endowed with all good bodily marks.

Then immediately sixty four Devendras gathered together with devotion to offer holy bathing

to the Lord on his birth.

Sixty four Devendras bowed to Lord Parsvanatha, praised hymns and carrying him in their 

hands came over to the mountain Meru.

Then (sixty four) Indras like Saudharma seated Lord Parsvanatha on the top of mount Meru 

and celebrated his birth day.

Devendras after having celibrated the birthday of Lord Parsvanatha and considering themselves

blessed returned.

Then the gods showered thirty two crores of silver and golden coins and thirty two crores gems 

in the palace of King Asvasena.

Then Lord Parsvanatha being nourished by five foster mothers began to grow like the moon of 

the second day of the bright fortnight.

Lord Parsvanatha gradually attained youth and the father got him married with the princess

Prabhavati.

One day out side the city, an ascetic named Kamatha arrived, who was a fool and hypocrite 

performing ignorantly austerity of the Five Fires bearing pains.

At that time Lord Parsvanatha, sitting in a balcony, asked his servants,"O Servants, Where are 

the citizens going today ?"

The servants replied, O best prince, an ascetic named Kamatha has come today and these 

people are going there to pay him obeisance.

Lord Parsvanatha too riding on his elephant which was like a rival to the celestial elephant 

Airavata with an excuse of sporting, came over immediately to that ascetic.

To the ascetic practising austerities ignorantly, Lord Parsvanatha told, "You indeed are 

practising austerity without knowing and that too, without compassion."

He said, in turn, to Parsvanatha," You are Prince and you are expert in sporting with horses 

but not in our austeric tendencies.

Immediately then by the order of Lord Parsvanatha, his servant cut wood into two with the axe 

and brought out from the piece of wood a unburnt snake alive.

Then the people hated the hypocrite ascetic and praised Lord Parsvanatha repeatedly.

Several years later Lord Parsvanatha pondered over the proper time, distributed alms 

(for one year) and took initiation.

Once upon a time Lord Parsvanatha himself was above physical conscence with his eyes closed 

in meditation, at that time the ascetic Kamatha, who had died in the wicked meditation and was 

born as a god name Meghamali, created hurdles (in Lord Parsvanatha's meditation), but 

Lord Parsvanatha did not deviate even a little.

Lord Parsvanatha, on having attained the absolute knowledge and having lived for a hundred 

years attained the absolution.