102 PALMACARIU Rşabha, but we were kept out of consideration'. As they were bent upon receiving their due at Rşabha's own hands, Indra assumed Rşabha's form and gave them the rulership of the northern and southern slopes of the mount Vijayārdha together with some mira- culous powers (15) While wandering on earth with raised hands, rich presents were offered to Rşabha but he did not accept them. In Hastina- gara, king śreyāmsa invited him to end his fast (16). Bringing him to his residence, he worshipped him and offered sugarcane juice. As Rşabha broke his fast, gods showered gold and jewels. On account of the exhaustless gifts then bestowed on Sreyārsa, the day became known as Akşayatştiyā (17). III Sandhi. Rşabha's life-story-upto his attaining Kevala. Leaving Hastināgapura, Rşabha arrived at Purimatala. There he came to the Sakatamukha garden rich in all sorts of flower plants and trees. In their midst stood a huge banyan tree (1). There Rşabha practised all the vows and austerities—these recounted in the numerical order of one to eighteen—and eventually he attained Kevala (2). He came to possess thirty-four Atiśayas and eight Prātihāryas and became the supreme deity of all the three worlds (3). Gods constructed a golden audience-hall for the Jina. The seats of various Indras shook. The lord of gods called upon all to go and pay homage to the Jina. All classes of gods with their most diverse vehicles started, as did fśänendra mounting upon the Airāvana elephant in enviable pomp and glory (4-5-6). Hordes of various gods and demons arrived to the audience-hall and humbly presented themselves to the Jina (7). Indra with his retinue recited a hymn to the Jina (8). Observing the gods coming down in their aerial cars, Rşabhasena, the ruler of Purimatāla made inquiries. He was told that Bharata's father had attained Kevala. On learn- ing this the king went to the audience-hall and paid homage to the Jina (9). He was so much moved by the scene that he and eighty- four thousand from the rank and file, together with eighty-four born aristocrats too took to monkhood, while lacs of others made up the laity. Even gods were purified and animals forgot their inborn mutual enmity (10). Then the Jina preached all the basic principles and tenets of the Jaina faith. Nothing in the three worlds could be unknown to him (11). The sermon had a pacifying effect on all. Before dis- persing many of them committed themselves to practising various vows and austerities. The Jina left that place and went to Ganga- sāgara (12). Here Bharata became the paramount lord of the whole earth and attained all-round prosperity. As his father attained Kevala, he, by the strength of his arm established his sovereignty over the whole earth (13). IV Sandhi. Combat between Bharata and Bå hubali attai nt Nirvana by hubali and Rşa bha. After completion of the round of world-conquest, when Bharata returned to his capital, the victorious discus (Cakraratna) did not
