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