Bhagwan Rishabhdev

Author(s): Subhadramuni
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust
Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/007033/1

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A Mahavir Seva Trust Presentation DIWAKAR CHITRA KATHA BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Volio Rs, 20.00 Com A complete story of Our First Tirthankar Bhagwan Rishabkieu

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t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t htKHvnh t b b b b b b n t t t n t SHtb b t t t t t t t t t t ( BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV The three main religions in India are Jain, Buddha and Vaidik (Hindu religion). All these agree that the source of religiousness is many billion years old. As per Jain religion, in the present times, Bhagwan Rishabhdev spread religion for the first time on the earth. In addition to religion, he was the first to give training for agriculture, trade, art, sculpture, politics and government to people. He was the first King of the world, first Shraman (Sanyasi or ascetic) and the first Tirthankar also. That's why he is known as Adinath or "First Tirthankar". The eldest son of Rishabhdev, Bharat, became the first Chakravarty Samrat. On his name our country became popular as Bharatvarsh. Bhagwan Rishabhdev was a popular leader as well as a religious leader. For the development of human society, he inspired man for hard work and then also showed the path of retirement for inner peace. After establishing the social administration system and government, he accepted the path of renouncement and set a great example of balance between luxuries and detachment. In addition to Jain literature, the biography of Bhagwan Rishabhdev is also found in Rugved and Shrimad Bhagvat Puran etc. Finding many similarities between Bhagwan Rishabhdev and Bhagwan Shivshankar, historians wonder whether they are the two different forms of a single great person because both of them had made the development of people their goal in life. We have presented this biography of Bhagwan Rishabhdev based on the ancient Jain religious books Adi Puran and Trishashti Shalaka Purush. 95555 55 5 55 55 5 555 555 55 $ 55 5 5 5 5 55 55 5Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting $ 555 55 55 Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting $ 5 5 $ 55 Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting $ 55 Written by : Compilation : Shri Subhadra Muniji Srichand Surana "Saras" Managing Editors : Art Work: Dr Mansukhbhai Jain Dr Trilok Sanjay Surana namra sUcana PUBLISHERS PT WITH A rf gut ala at fra w ait #sfts are set of 4 MAHAVIR SEVA TRI Ferra arendur great juutta . C/o Dr.M.B.Jain,B-29/30. Yojana Apts.S.V.Road, Malad(W),Bombay-400064. Tel.:8811397/8892121 FEDERATION OF JAIN ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA (JAINA) C/O.Dr.P.B. Gada,4410,50th Street,Lubbock, Texas-79414 (U.S.A.) DIWAKAR PRAKASHAN A-7 Awagarh House, M.G.Road, Agra-282 002. Ph.(0562) 351165, 51789 JAIN SOCIAL GROUPS' FEDERATION 4-P, Vijay Chambers, 4th Floor, Tribhuvan Road,Bombay-400004. Ph.:3870724 155 $ $$ $$$ $ 5 5 555 56 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 45 455 456 45 44 45 46 45 45 45 44 45 46 45 44 445 4 4 445 446 4444444444444

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV W 30751 BHAGW A N This story is from prehistoric Avaspirni* times when people had few desires. All were happy as their lives were based on truth, morality and contentment. There was no ruler no ruled. All desires were fulfilled by Kalpavruksha**. There was no conflict. PULLACOSTE Serving jinshasan 126766 gyanmandir@kobatirth.org Gradually population increased. Fruits of Kalpavruksha were not enough. Needs increased. This developed friction and conflict. Then, to bring order and discipline, people selected Nabhi Rai to be their chief. OVE We make Nabhi Rai our chief. Long live Nabhi Rai * Avaspirni: Time cycle. * Kalpavruksha : The divine tree that fulfills all desires.

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126166 BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV 88-09 UN Nabhi Rai's queen was Marudevi. On the fourth day of the dark half of Ashadh month, she saw 14 auspicious and significant dreams. This made her wake up. She went to Nabhi Rai and said You'll deliver a great, divine son. L. @@ SICC. ca Ho Dear! What will be the result of those auspicious dreams?

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV On the eighth day of Chaitra month Marudevi delivered a bright baby boy at midnight. The whole earth got illuminated for a while on his birth. All humans, angels, birds and animals felt delighted. Angels and humans rejoiced the birth ceremony. Dy1 Nabhi Rai decided to name his son. U Our son has a sign of Vrishabh (an ox) on chest. So we'll name him RISHABH.

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COLOUR BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV When Rishabh was about one, Lord of angels Indra came with Ikshu (Sugarcane). Seeing him attracted to Ikshu, Indra said This ilk will be known as Ikshvaku. UNE Grown up Rishabh married to two females Sunanda and Sumangala and pioneered the system of marriage. He trained people for defence, farming, mathematics, trade and manufacturing of pots etc. 92 He got Bharat, Bahubali etc. hundred sons and two daughters : Brahmi and Sundari. UN

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Till the times of Nabhi Rai, man was disciplined and harmless. Gradually, violent ideas crept in. Disorder increased. Frightened people came to Rishabh to complain BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV To keep the society organized, you need an intelligent and brave king. You put forward this demand to Nabhi Rai. Save us, Kumar! Lord! Give us a king who can protect us. Hik 3 Guide us! Only Rushab is suitable for the job. We accept Prince Rishabh. as our king. 5 King Rishabh long live! Nabhi Rai declared Rishabh the king.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Rishabh's corronation was celebrated. Nabhi Rai and Marudevi blessed their son. All Yugalik* groups, sons-Bharat, Bahubali etc. and daughters-Brahmi, Sundari were present. Yugaliks poured sacred water on his feet. The city where Rishabh stayed was named Vanita. Die OCCOG GIOIOT (11LOTOUI10 NA eddjaastterddectddbhaaerddbhrtt teNtrliur'tirjaal ou RO Ugalik - Human beings of that era always lived in a pair of a male and a female 6

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV King Rishabh divided duties to govern the society. properly. He deputed brave people for protecting society. They were called Kshatriyas. Those who were experts in buying and selling were called Vaishyas i.e. traders. UN KUAM The people who looked after sanitation were called Shudras. Developing and flourishing the nation, King Rishabh grew older. Once, he thought I should handover the state to the sons and be relieved. The eldest son Bharat was assigned the state of Ayodhya Vyron vvwv Bahubali got Takshashila. After handing over other states to remaining sons, King Rishabh felt relieved.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV One day king Rishabhdev was watching the dance by Nilanjana, a dancer. The entire audience was watching with interest when suddenly Nilanjana fell unconscious on the floor. Oh! How short is the human life! How fragile is the body! Your highness! She is dead! OR TESCO OYU TOGO He immediately decided to forsake luxuries || Just then all Gods of nine heavens appeared and saidand embrace monkhood. O Great Man! Your decision is magnificient. You teach I will relinquish these luxuries, people the path of relinquishing, restrain and discipline. meditate at higher level and win over death. TOOOOO JUAN

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A BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV On the eighth evening of the dark half of Chaitra month, Rishabhdev reached a garden on the outskirts of Ayodhya. Thousands of people followed him. Standing under the Ashoka tree, he plucked his own hair and surrendered all material wealth, becoming first monk of his time. www.Y God Indra alongwith other Gods appeared there and requested him- Lo Lord! Please don't remove that lock of hair in the centre. It looks grand. Respecting Indra's sentiments, he left a tuft of hair, while removing the rest. *Because of this tuft of hair he was sometimes known as Keshariyaji or Keshi. 9

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Seeing Bhagwan Rishabhdev becoming a monk, four thousand people including king Kutch, Mahakutch etc. dicided to become monk and followed the lord in the jungle, b dst w Once Bhagwan Rishabhdev arrived with his disciples in a town for food. To welcome them, people brought various types of fruits, sweets and gifts. But Rishabhdev thought - I'll eat only simple food. I can't have all this. My Lord, we have brought this gold jewellery for you Lord, I've got sweet fruits for you. When the pangs of hunger and thirst began severe, the disciples started eating the fruits and legumes. Not getting simple food, Rishabhdev returned back in the jungle hungry and thirsty and dicided to do penance. Due to starvation many disciples approached the lord. Lord! What sort of food should we eat? Please quench our thirst. But Rishabhdev, withdrawn in deep meditation, didn't respond.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Alongwith lord Rishabhdev, two kings Kutch and Mahakutch had also embraced monkhood. At that time their sons Nami and Vinami were far away. While returning they saw their fathers roaming in the jungles as hermits. Oh! Father is roaming in the jungle in this way, what happened to the kingdom Great father distributed the empire * Father Rishabhdev has distributed the entire empire among all his among all, then where is our share ? sons and has become an ascetic. We too have We'll also followed him. demand For our rights. But Rishabhdev had taken a vow to keep silence. Nami and Vinami located Rishabhdev. They told him Lord! you've given kingdoms to Bharat and others. Give us kingdom too. We'll consider that small wealth also divine. 27

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Seeing him silent, both the brothers sat in a meditative worship to please the Lord. el One day Dharanendra, the king of snakes, came to pray the Lord. Seeing the devotion of the princes he asked We have come to get the kingdoms from the Lord. Our devotion will fulfill our desires. Who are you? What do you want? Dharanendra was happy to hear this. He took Nami and Vinami with him to Vaitadhya mountain, where they established towns with his help and reigned happily ever after.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV. A year after renouncing the world Lord Rishabhdev still did not receive pure food according to rituals. Due to scarcity he had physically become very weak. Travelling through villages, one day, he reached Hastinapur. Prince Shreyans pondered upon his dream. In those days Hastinapur was ruled by king Somprabha. His son prince Shreyans kumar dreamt that night, that he was cleaning dirt filled Meru mountain with amrut/nectar). Definitely a special gain is to be bestowed upon me w Next morning the prince was sitting in the palace balcony, when lord Rishabhdev passed by, seeing him prince Shreyans recalled his past life. This is my great father lord Rishabhdev. In the previous birth, I too lived with him as an ascetic. Oh! Lord has still not consumed food or water, since a year. wwhhh 13

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV A wave of devotion smelled in the heart of Shreyans. He came down, bowing to the lord, he I requested him to accept sugarcanejuice. Lord! please accept this pure sugarcane juice and thus bless me. ma Honoring the request, Rishabhdev drank the sugarcane juice. This auspicious day was the first third day of Vaisakh month. Lord Rishabhdev broke his one year fast by accepting sugarcane juice. Therefore according to Jain tradition this day has become famous as Akshay Trutiya. * In memory of this day even today lakhs of people perform Varsi tap (one year fast-one day eating and next day of fast) *Taking food after fasts. 14

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV On the other side in Ayodhya Rishabhdev's mother Marudevi not receiving any news of her son became restless. She met her grandson Bharat and spoke O Bharat! It's one year since it son Rishabhdev has renounced the worle Please get me his news. WN AZALAZNANJA Emperor Bharat sent envoy in all four corners to get news of Rishabhdev. For many days there were no news. Suddenly, one day three messengers entered the Rajsabha. Your highness, the news has More important than the son and Congratulations your been received that Lord Rishabhdev > bejewelled Chakra is the salutation of highness, the Queen just gave attained kevalgyan' under the Banyan the lord. Therefore we must first birth to a royal son. tree outside Purimatal town celebrate the lord's Kevalgyan Greetings to his majesty. A bejewelled Chakra has appeared in the ammunition room (arsenal) * Kevalgyan = Absolute knowledge.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Bharat gave the auspicious news to mother Marudevi Bharat went alongwith mother Marudevi to worship lord Rishabhdev. When the procession reached the gates of samosaran, Bharat gave description of Rishabhdev's divinity to Marudevi. 5 See! Swami Rishabhdev's spiritual grandeur is magnificient O! I was simply worried. My Rishabhdev is truly great OOT

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Entering the samosaran, Chakravarti Bharat bowed | Because of mind's pure and intense concentration, down to lord Rishabhdev. Marudevi recollected all her previous births. She understood everything Oh! due to my ignorance, I am entangled in my desires. Rishabhdev has conquered all desires. Now for him who is the mother and who the son. How serene Rishabhdev - looks in his non attachment. WNNNN MONNNNN WOUW JAUANTALZATUAVA AIDS in At that moment a divine sound was heard. Divine Marudevi has attained salvation Bharat due to purity of her feelings mother Marudevi has destroyed all her karmas and attained salvation Lord what am I hearing? OOT SOREN TO Mother Marudevi became the first Omniscient of our times. l@ 17

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The 11th day of the latter Phagun month, lord Rishabhdev gave his first religious sermon to his children. He created and established four religious tirth namely monk, nun,shravak and shravika. The aim of life is not acquisition but > renunciation. Life is abandonment not fondness, First know yourself then show others the path to realisation, li V -M. WHOLLY Un 4 med 15-04 1422 BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV AUXI *Sermon- lord's philosophical preaching. Ni sesxi 4117/ Listening to lord's sermon*, Lord Rishabhdev's sons and daughters, Brahmi and Sundari and crores of other women renounced the world. Rishabhsen became lord's first male disciple. He established four vows for monks and 12 for householders. M dis 18 Ne N shi For establishing four religions Tirth, lord Rishabhdev was called as the first Tirthankar. Commencing the religion he was known as Adinath. Lin Met Lord! initiate our renunciation. Grey Bharat returned back to his capital after paying hamage to the lord. tha llh 72

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Bharat mulled Upon returning from celebrating Lord Rishabhdev's Kevalgyan, emperor Bharat went to his arsenal and performed puja of the bejewelled Chakra. Now I must set out for overall victory. daocco Cho To conquer all states of India, Bharat set out with a huge army for triumph. Years later when Bharat the victor returned back to Ayodhya, they celebrated the conquest. He established six principalities under his realm and thus became the first Chakravarti emperor.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV In this victory celebration, Bahubali and other 98 brothers did not participate, therefore Bharat sent a messenger. Either all of you must obey Chakravarti or else be ready for war. Listening to Bharat's message, all brother had a secret meeting We must have a war. We will go to our father and seek his guidance All brothers went to Lord Rishabhdev. Rishabhdev spoke I'll tell you a story to solve you problem. Our Lord father! The kingdoms you have given us, Bharat is being very greedy. It does not feel right to fight big brother. Should we fight according to principle? Please guide us. 9 11 Lord Rishabhdev starts telling a story Once because of an intense heat, he felt an acute Once there was a foolish woodcutter. He lived by | thirst. In search of water he ran helter skelter but means of cutting wood in the forest everyday. could not locate water anywhere. 20

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Troubled over his parched throat he laid down in the shadow of a tree and fell asleep, he dreamt ET He went to a well and drank all the water. still he remained thirsty. He went to the banks of a river and drank up all the water, still his throat was dry. Inspite of drinking unguenched. the ocean, he remained Running here and there for water he came across a wet bunch of twigs. He tried to squeeze out every drop of water to drink. Then, with a twist in his arm he awoke, the dream was broken, and the same arid land. 21

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After relating the story Lord Rishabhdev spoke to his sons BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Sons! The thirst which did not subside even after drinking the river and ocean, will it go after squeezing drops from wet twigs? No, never. Sons! Desire is peculiar aspect of mind's thirst. After conquering six states when human's wants are insatiated then how will it satisfied by conquering small kingdoms? Desires encourages desire. Satisfaction reduces desires. You must bring out the hidden internal divinity within your soul. You must acquire soul's infinite wonders. Comparatively glory of the three worlds will be worthless. we the Listening to Lord Rishabhdev's heart rendering speech the 98 brothers became weary of their kingdom. Bowing down they renounced their kingdoms and embraced monkhood. 22

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Rishabhdev's second son Bahubali had more strength and vigour than Bharat. He too received Bharat's message of accepting subjugation. He was upset over the news of his 98 brother's renunciation. Upon which Bharat's message was like adding salt over his wounds. Bahubali flew into a rage. Bharat has no rights over the kingdoms given by father. Inspite of that if Bharat tries to take over, then the resultant will be a war where Bahubali's powerful arms will compete. EDO Without conquering Bahubali, Bharat's Chakravarti empire was incomplete. Therefore he declared war on Bahubali. Messenger returned back to emperor Bharat and read Bahubali's message We will not accept supremacy Prepare for war.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Both armies faced each other and stopped. To see this great war, hundreds of Gods and demons gathered in the sky. God Indra felt anguish at the imagination of enormous human destruction. Being sons of a nonviolent personage Lord Rishabhdev you are promoting a war. What a shameful thing. To cease the human destruction the army will act as a silent spectators while you two brothers will have duel fight- who ever wins will be the victor. ra To stop the unnecessary bloodshed, god Indra came and stood in between the two armies. 24

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV First commenced the war of staring. Bharat and Bahubali started glaring at each other's eyes without blinking their eyelids. Then there was a war of screaming, their vociferous bellowing scared the life out of horses, elephants etc. OG kooo By evening Bharat's eye blinked On the third day was the wrestling fight. Bharat enclosed Bahubali in his embrace. Bahubali hit Bharat so hard that he descended upto his neck in ground. SCO Bharat set upon Bahubali. Bahubali swung Bharat in the sky, when he started falling Bahubali caught him and thus he lost in wrestling fight. 25

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in despair and bitterness, Bharat forgot his limitations and in exasperation he threw his chakra. 710 0000 A) RE In fury Bahubali raised his fist to strike Bharat. Bharat became alarmed. 200 BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV 188477 wa But it was a divine Chakra, it does not kill blood relatives, therefore it circled Bahubali and came back. 2727 WinGO 15572 O! great warrior of our times, please cool your temper. Killing your brethren will give a bad name to Ikshvaku clan. You are noble. please forgive him. Observing the view, God Indra, other Gods, Ministers, Priests etc came infront of Bahubali and pleaded to him. 24 S WERE TO US MIN 1 FORE G hod

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Hearing the request of the Gods and respected citizens, Bahubali's raised hand stopped and began to think They all are right. For a small piece of land, I am about to kill my father like brother. How disgusting of me! My pride made me blind. I can't kill my brother. My enemy is not my brother but my arrogance. I don't need any kingdom nor honour.! will follow the foot steps of my revered father. 2010 STOICIODIGIU Cococo With that raised hand, Bahubali removed his royal crown, his vest and all the hair on his head thus becoming a monk. Glory be thy Bahubali. Praises to the Adishwar's son Bahubali, the victor of the world is to be the victor of the soul. UU

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV | Bahubali the conqeror of Chakravarti was The small question of pride entered Bahubali's mind defeated by the mind's ego. He started like a thorn. For one year he deeply meditated standing thinking like a Himalaya. Creepers grew round him and snakes and other creatures ED entwined his body. If I go to Soil solidified at his Lord Rishabhdev feet. Birds had built then all my their nests in his younger brothers matted hair who became monks earlier will be present. How can I offer my obeisance to those younger to me? gos One day nuns Brahmi and Sundari came to Lord Rishabhdev. They asked him Lord! Where is Bahubali the great monk practicing penance? Has he attained Kevalgyan? Just as the Sun can hide behind a small cloud. Inspite of hard penance Bahubali cannot attain Kevalgyan because of the cloud of pride which is obstructing the divine light ER 28

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Amidts the jungle standing like a hill Bahubali was surrounded by leaves, creepers and snakes, looking like a sandalwood tree. Brahmi, Sundari could not recognize him. They began to sing in their divine voice calling their brother Brother, wake up, please understand Kevalgyan cannot be obtained while sitting on the elephant. Pride is like the elephant. Knowledge is like the sun, which is hidden, please realize it. Thang 5 Oh! I am sitting on an ego like elephant. left the kingdom, attachment of the body, but did not leave arrogance. Why is this question of small or big stuck in my mind? This is what is obstructing my Kevalgyan. 29 P 198 This sweet divine sound must belang to my sisters? What are they saying I am riding on an elephant? Where is the elephant? I have given up everything. Bahubali started pondering, he saw the pride like elephant raising its trunk in the mirror of his mind.

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV On stepping out, the pride like elephant vanished. Upon receiving Kevalgyan, Bahubali's every sence rejoiced. From the sky Gods showered flowers, a divine sound echoed "Glory to Kevali Bahubali". Monks are always noble, my. greetings to all big and small monks and nuns. I am going at the feet of Lord Adishwar Once more Chakravarti Bharat came to pay respect to Lord Adishwar. Seeing his 98 brothers and Bahubali as monks present there, his mind repented over his actions. ZOUD Lord! have done a great injustice to my brothers. I have blackened the purity Bharat, serve those practising penance. of the Ikshvaku clan. Promote those with good conduct. This is Lord! How can my how you will obtain mental tranquility misbehavior be forgiven? How can my heart burn find peace? AMI he

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One day Lord Rishabhdev arrived at Ayodhya. Thousands of people alongwith Bharat went to hear his sermon. Fellow beings, lighten your mind by dispensing the affection for wealth etc. Just as light things rise upward, heavy things go downwards, in the similar manner, the more you have the less you are and the less you have the more you are. Lookd m No, its not like that. Bharat is like that lotus being inside at pond, but still distant, fulfilling his duties. He is not an accumulator. 1741 LAST. 11324 BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV 10 XXXK AD Chakravarti emperor and not an accumulator? Partiality in the lord's house too? In this religious congregation a group was present listening to the preaching, upon hearing it he asked Lord Rishabhdev 333 33 www 31 www 17's ...$ www Lord! emperor Bharat is a huge collector, while I have very little accumulation. Does that mean I will rise up while Bharat will fall....? When Bharat saw the goldsmith in a perplex state 2 1.15 w Dead Monmar He has not understood lord's preaching. He should have grasped it. 27 Vit 124 37

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BHAGWAN RISHABHDEV Next day Bharat called the goldsmith to his palace. Giving him a bowl of oil filled to the brim, he said Goldsmith takes the bowl and travels the entire Ayodhya city and returns back to the royal court. Bharat asks him 2 3 Y Keep this bowl in your palm and roamthe entire Ayodhya city. Then come and tell me all what you saw? Remember, if you drop a single drop of oil from the bowl then death sentence will be given to you. Tell me what you saw in the markets or streets of Ayodhya? Your highness, my entire concentration I was on this bowl of oil. That is why I could not see anything. OOON Upon hearing Bharat laughed and saidLAN Did you understand anything? In this world full of luxury, even I am living like that. My full concentration is on my soul. I have nothing to do with this world's market or streets. Think am I still an accumulator? In this manner teaching the significance of renunciation, forsaking of desires etc took Rishabhdev thousands of years. One day he realised that his end is near. Knowing this he went to Ashtapad mountain and in a state of samadhi attained moksha. c . O Your highness, please forgive me. I did not fully understand deeply the lord's teachings 32

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W VA Dear Friends, By this time you must have gained some knowledge of the Jain philosophy and its technical terms. I am sure that now when your friends ask you about Jainism you will be able to explain to them the meaning of Navkar Mantra or the principle of Ahimsa or what is the theory of Karma. Today let us learn more about the philosophy. g. 26. How do we know that the soul exists? Ans. The existence of any entity can be established by reason, examples and arguments. Let us explore the question further more. Jain philosophy is based on the acceptance of the existence of the soul. If the soul does not exist then why should one work for its liberation? It is therefore very important to prove the existence of the soul. Some people of reason and education do not accept the existence of the soul. They argue that, "If the soul is not perceptible then how could we accept its existence? Show it actually to us then we are prepared to accept it." w But soul is not a commodity like a book or a pencil which can be shown in hand. Soul is an invisible and formless entity that requires effort to prove its existence. When one exercises one's intelligence and uses its logic it is not difficult to accept its existence Is it true that only visible entity is accepted by us as existing? No. We accept the existence of an invisible entity by its visible operative effect. For example, Who can perceive with the eyes the wind, the air? But in summer when a whiff of wind touches the body, one feels cool sensation and one says the cool wind is blowing. This means that the wind is not visible to the eyes and yet we accept its existence through its operation. Similarly the electricity is not seen when the light is turned on or when the iron is heated. But still we accept it. From this it is established that an invisible entity with visible effect or result exists. Now let us consider whether the effective operation of the soul is visible. When a man dies all his senses are intact and the physical frame remains where it is. The body does not move until moved, the eyes do not open by itself and the body does not react to any kind of M

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abuse or a punch. What happened? Just a few minutes ago he could do everything. Now all of a sudden everything ceased. Why? Because the one who saw, who felt, who moved, who spoke, who heard, who smelt, who tasted and who could act at will left the body. So it proves that the activity was because of the existence of something else other than the body. That other is the soul or Atma. When the soul leaves, the body is dead and inactive. So anything that grows, flourishes or moves has life and wherever there is life there is soul e.g. plants, veges, insects, fish, serpents, horses etc. That which does not grow, flourish or move has no life. Hence one sees the growth, the movement and the multiplicity of life but the soul is not seen. So we have to accept the existence of an invisible entity by its visible operative effect. As fire can be inferred from smoke, soul can be inferred from life and all sentient activities. Thus the acceptance of the concept of the existence of the soul is the very fundamental plank in the spiritual journey of self realization and the freedom from bondage. The broad translation of a poem by by Dr. Bharil of Jaipur,summarises the attributes of the living soul.In the poem the soul describes itself in the following way. "I am self sufficient, without trace of anything else, Tasteless, formless, without colour, without attachment, without hatred, I am unique, I am invisible body of consciousness, happy in my own physique. I am responsible for my success or failure and none else. I am pure, omniscient, one unaffected by other's act. I realise myself through me, I am knowledge and bliss perfect." Pramoda Chitrabhanu's Jai Jinendra

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CIRCLE OF WORLD 20-in.. de JSS Human beings Earth-body Water-body 2 Hellish beings 10 Fire-body Air-body Five sensed Vegetation body s Four sensedo Three sensed Two sensed ch The soul is continually transmigrating in this Circle of World

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Maitri Bhavana (Thinking of friendship) Maitri Bhavana (Thinking of friendship) Lord Mahavira said we 5 must be a friend within all living beings. Feeling of Friendship should be the > foundation of all our future 3 thinking. This way once we make friendship with someone or for that matter > with all living beings how can we think of harming, deceiving or quarreling with them. How can our actions be harsh towards Sanybody? We would never hurt our friends on the 3 contrary we would support them and protect them. So this way we develop the bond for each other. Friendship teaches us to be tolerant, to forgive and care and share among one another. maitI me savva bhUesu Subscribe Diwakar Chitrakatha A colourful pictorial story books based on Jain Tasanese One year Subscription for English Edition of Diwakar Chitrakatha Rs. 240/- (12 Issue) Two year Subscription for English Edition of Diwakar Chitrakatha Rs. 460/- (24 Issue) Gujarati Editions are also available kailA kobA To subscribe for this series please send your draft at any of the following addresses : JAIN ASSOCIATION IN NORTH AMERICA (JAINA) 9-9 Medical Clinic, 4410, 50th Street, Lubbock, Texas-79414 (USA) Phone : (806) 793 8555 Off. (806) 803 4777 Res. MAHAVIR SEVA TRUST Clo Dr. M. B. Jain, B. 29-30, Yojana Apartment, S. V. Road, Malad (W) Bombay-400064. Phone: 8892121 DIWAKAR PRAKASHAN A-7, Awagarh House, Opp. Anjna Cinema, M. G. Road, Agra-2. Phone :351165, 51789 AVAA W