Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c13.369

c13.369

It is related that at Benares a hermit named Kamaṭha performed the penance of Five-Fires which excited the admiration of the people. Pārśvanātha also went to see him and saw a live serpent thrown in the sacrificial fire along with some wood. Pārśvanātha, moved to pity, remonstrated with the ascetic and chided him for his false belief. The ascetic incensed at this uncalled for outburst asked Pārśvanātha to mind his own business. Pārśvanātha at once ordered one of his servants to pick out the faggot along with the burning serpent. The serpent, instructed in religious teaching by Pārśvanātha, died and later on was born as Dharaṇendra, the overlord of the Nāgas, and the ascetic, after his death, was born as Meghamāli Deva.