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friends broke their fast, Mahabal would continue his fast on some pretext. The desire to be above the ordinary inspired this
competition. As a result of this deception Mahabal fell from the lofty spiritual level he had attained due to his intense practices
and acquired the Karma that would result in being born as a woman (Stri-ved). However, as he still maintained the purity and
intensity in his practices he later also earned the Tirthankar-nam-and-gotra-karma. All the seven ascetics breathed their last
after sixty days fast and meditation. They reincarnated as gods in the Anuttar dimension.
Birth of Malli Kumari
The being that was Mahabal, leaving the abode of gods, descended into the womb of queen Prabhavati, wife of king Kumbh
of Mithila town. During the third month of pregnancy the queen had a desire to sleep on a bed made up of fragrant flowers of
five colors and to smell a bouquet of flowers (Malladam) all the time. It is said that if a pious soul resides in the womb all the
desires are fulfilled. On the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Margshirsh the queen gave birth to a pious and
beautiful girl. It was unprecedented that a Tirthankar be born as a girl; everyone was surprised. But even the almighty is
helpless when the Karmas precipitate into action.
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The mother’s craving for flower bouquet inspired the king to name the girl as Malli Kumari. She was very fond of having a
bouquet of flowers. Florists from far and near used to bring attractive and beautiful bouquets to present her and get desired
gifts in return. Strange yarns about her infatuation for flowers and bouquets spread all around.
Divine Earings
Once a famous and rich merchant, Arhannak, of Champa town, went on a sea voyage with some other people. After earning
heaps of wealth when he was returning, a god appeared. In order to test Arhannak’s devotion for his religion, the god created
a variety of afflictions. Even in the face of death Arhannak did no yield. His devotion for the path shown by Jina was absolutely
unwavering. The god was pleased with this unrelenting determination of Arhannak. He gave the merchant a pair of divine
earings as gift.
On the way back the ship stopped at Mithila. All the merchants went to king Kumbh’s assembly with gifts. Arhannak gifted the
divine earings for Malli Kumari. The king and his ministers became astonished at the divine beauty of these earings. Once
a joint in these earings broke. King Kumbh called expert goldsmiths to weld this joint but none of the artisans had skill enough
to do this work. In annoyance the king exiled many of these artisans. Wherever these artisans went they talked of the divine
beauty of Malli Kumari.
Ignorant Artist
Once Mallidinna, the younger brother of Malli Kumari, constructed an entertainment room in the palace premises. One of the
working artists was highly
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talented. This artist had a glimpse of a toe of Malli Kumari who was standing behind a lattice. This
enabled the highly gifted artist to paint a fresco of the princess on a wall of the room. He was under the impression that the
prince will be pleased to look at the exact replica of his sister and richly reward him.
When the room was complete, the prince came with his wives to look at and approve the beautiful paintings, some of which
were erotic as well. While he was enjoying these works of art, he came cross the painting of Malli Kumari. He could not
believe what he saw. Ashamed of himself he said, “My elder sister is here and I am shamelessly enjoying these sensual
paintings alongwith my wives”. His governess explained, “Prince, You are mistaken. This is not your sister but her life size
portrait”. The prince carefully examined the painting and was astonished at the realistic work of art and the skill of the artist.
However, a feeling of anger overtook the sense of appreciation. He was annoyed at the mindless effrontery of the artist who
had painted such a live portrait of his respected elder sister in the entertainment chamber.
The angry prince called the painter and asked him when and how he saw the princess. The artist humbly submitted, “Sire! I
just saw one toe of the princess from behind a lattice. But i am endowed with this miraculous skill that when I start painting
even a part of a thin I automatically complete the thing perfectly”.
This explanation did not pacify the prince. He exiled the artist after amputing his right thumb. Th vexed artist made another
painting of the princess and soles it at a very high price to king Adinashatru of Hastinapur. Adinashatru was attracted towards
Malli Kumar, as many others who had heard about her divine beauty.
Discussion with Choksha
One day a female mendicant named Choksha came to Mithila. In order to influence the royal family she came to Malli Kumari.
Choksha was a scholar of Vedas and other scriptures and her interpretation was that keeping the body clean, indulging in
charity and the anointment of Tirth (sacred place) were the only religious activities that lead to liberation. She started preaching
her ideas to Malli Kumari, who heard all this with patience. When Choksha had nothing more to say, Malli Kumari said in
her magnetic voice, “With due respect to you attire, I am surprised at your ignorance, Choksha. Know that every charity is not
Amar Muni - Tirthankar Charitra - Surana # 21
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