Remembering the words of Vastupāla on Gujarat Divas

[Vyom A. Shah]

In the year 1298 of the Vikrama era, the illustrious Mahāmātya Vastupāla, sensing the nearness of death, resolved to journey to Śatruñjaya. After meeting King Vīsaladeva, he made his way to the residence of Minister Nāgaḍa. Nāgaḍa, receiving him with due honor—offering a seat and other formalities—asked respectfully if there was any particular instruction he wished to convey. Vastupāla replied:

वयं भवान्तरशुद्धाय विमलगिरिं प्रति प्रतिष्ठामहे। भवद्भिर्जैनमुनयोऽमी ऋजवः सम्यग् रक्षणीयाः क्लिष्टलोकात्। यतः - 

गौर्जराणामिदं राज्यं वनराजात् प्रभृत्यपि। 

स्थापितं जैनमन्त्रौघैस्तद्द्वेषी नैव नन्दति॥

"We are proceeding to Vimalagiri (Śatruñjaya) for the purification of our inner self. These honest and ascetic Jaina monks must be duly protected from the harshness of the world. For:

This kingdom of Gujarāta, since the time of Vanarāja, has flourished under the sanctity of Jaina mantras; he who bears enmity toward them shall never find joy."

From Rājaśekharasūri's Prabandhakoṣa.