Page 6 - Jain Jyotirdhar Chitra Darshan

[6] EMPEROR SAMPRATI
(Worship to Jinendra, God)

1.Emperor Samprati, in previous birth was a hunger
stricken beggar.The beggar saw some Jain Monks with
food and begged them for food.The Monks replied,“Only
our Guru (Head of monks) is entitled to this food.
Therefore, the beggar followed the Monks to their Guru.
(2)Guru Shri Arya Suhasti Suriji upon seeing the inner
property of the beggar and due to his foresight made the
beggar a Jain Monk. Guru fed him well as per his desire.
But, that very night, due to over eating the beggar had
loose motions and vomiting and all the other Monks looked
after him. Singing praises of the Charitrya (Monks life) the
monk passed away. (3) In his next birth, the same beggar
took birth as Samprati, the grandson of King Ashoka and
the King of Ujjain. One day, when he saw the Guru - the
same Guruji of his previous birth, he immediately
recollected his past life. Humbly, he fell on the feet of the
Guruji and asked him to take his kingdom and free him
from the obligation. Guruji replied, “Kingdoms don’t suit
Monks, use your fortunes to propagate and spread the
cause of Jain religion.” (4) Hence King Samprati opened
Daan Shalas (donation houses). (5) He constructed
various Jain temples and handsomely rewarded even
those who informed him about construction of new Jain
temple daily. (6) Construction of temples making of idols is
going on salutes to the Great Samprati (spreader of Jain
Religion) and to his God & Guru devotion. (7) King
Samprati utilized all his resources to make in all 1,25,000
temples and 1,25,00,000 idols of Jain Gods. Even today
these idols are worshipped at various places.