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became a scholar. His mother advised him to approach the Jain acharya, Thosaliputra and to study Drishtivad at his feet; and he acted according to her advice. How humble and obedient he was ? How simple and plain he was ? He easily discarded all his sensual pleasures ; did he not? He received initiation into the Sadhudharma in order to carry out his mother's wishes.
Aryarakshit became an expert in the observance of all the rules and principles of the life of a Sadhu. On account of his devotion and reverence for the Gurumaharaj, his Jnanavaran karma was supressed and smothered. The Gurudev was systematically teaching the Shastra to him; and communicated to him all the knowledge he had of the ancient Poorvas (cantos). .: In those days, only two great men possessed mastery over the ten Poorvas (cantos); one was Bhadraguptacharyaji; and the other was Shri Vajraswami. Shri Vajraswami had learnt the Dasapoorvas (the ten cantos) from Bhadraguptacharyaji. Acharya Shri Thosaliputra sent him to Bhadraguptacharyaji. At that time, Bhadraguptacharyaji was staying in Ujjaini; and he was in extreme old age.
Muni Aryarakshit went to Ujjaini in the company of noble Sadhus. He went into the Upashraya and saluted Bhadraguptacharyaji. Bhadraguptacharyaji stood up and received the Sadhus including Aryarakshit. He embraced Aryarakshit with genuine affection.
Aryarakshit became absorbed in the service of Bhadraguptacharyaji. One day, Bhadraguptacharyaji, in a deep spiritual trance, visualized the future of Aryarakshit. He found that his future was going to be resplendent. He called Aryarakshit near him; held his hand with his hand; and said :
प्रभावको भवानहच्छासनाम्भोधिकौस्तुभः ।।
संघाधारश्च मावि तदुपदेशंकरोतु मे ॥ “Dear child! You are going to be an influential preacher of the Jin shasan; you are going to become a pillar of support to the Sangh (the four-fold Jain society). Therefore, you must act according to my precepts. You are going to learn the remaining Poorvas from Vajraswami.”
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