Page 80 - EJO0055
P. 80

Thus, coming to the point, it is essential that the attachment
        towards  Dev-Guru-Sangha  and  Sadharmika  remains  active
        and  our  desire  to  engage  more  and  more  time,  money  and
        energy for it remains intact.

        King Kumarpal’s example –

        Kumarpal’s attachment for his Guru :
        Noble  King  Kumarpal’s  fondness  for  his  Sadharmikas  was
        truly heartfelt so much so that he used wealth amounting to
        Rs. 1 crore for the welfare of Sadharmikas. He loved his Guru
        Kalikal Sarvagna Shri Hemchandrasuriji Maharaja and hence
        engaged 700 writers permanently for writing scriptures created
        by him and spent wealth amounting to crores for this cause !
        Once the leaves of Tad tree which were used as paper in those
        times for writing, were not available and King Kumarpala was
        so dejected that he gave up food and water till its acquisition
        was  confirmed !  My  Guru  is  extremely  intelligent  then  why
        shouldn’t I use my available wealth for getting his scriptures
        written ?
        If  I  do  not  aid  in  this  work,  then  how  can  I  be  called  a
        real devotee of my Guru ? This was his affection towards his
        Guru. Do you possess such attachment ? Yes, we do have such
        attachment for our family members but not for our Guru.

        Kumarpal’s affection for Almighty Arihantas :

        King  Kumarpala  led  a  Sangha*  to  Siddhachalji.  After
        reaching Siddhagiri, he let go his right of wearing the Sangha-
        Mala.  Instead  he  declared,  “The  one  who  bids  the  highest
        will  wear  the  Sangha  Mala.”  What  was  the  reason  behind
        this  declaration ?  The  sole  reason  was  the  intense  affection

        *  Sangha  –  A  pilgrimage  funded  by  a  generous  donor  (Sanghapati)
          wherein all the pilgrims are supposed to walk towards the pilgrimplace,
          have food once a day, observe celibacy, sleep on the floor, etc.
         70                                                Purity Purified
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