Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

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Parents and relatives tried to dissuade her, “Daughter, you are too young for austerities. We will marry you to some other suitable prince.” But she had only one answer - “A faithful and devoted wife has only one husband. I have been betrothed to Nemikumāra. He is everything to me. I will follow the path he has taken.”
She discarded all her clothes and ornaments and wrapped in a single sheet of cloth (sāļi) went to Giranāra hills. Climbing some distance she entered a cave and started intense austerities.
There is hardly any other instance of some woman making such great sacrifice for her unloving husband. Rājīmats is the epitome of greatness of women of the world. Rājula! Sacrificing your ambitions and yourself you have turned into a beacon for the disorientated women of all times. Obeisance to you!
ATTAINING OMNISCIENCE
Only after fifty-six days of intense austerities and meditation Bhagavāna cleansed the soul of all blemish. Through his austerities he destroyed all vitiating karmas and acquired the quartet of infinite knowledge-perception-bliss-potency on Āśvina śukla first. He became all knowing and all seeing. Gods and their kings and humans worshipped him with devotion. His first divine utterance and establishing of the religious order came about in the divine assembly on Giranāra hills.
After this he wandered around in various countries and spread the light of religion.
THE GURU OF KRŞŅA
In Chāndogya Upanișad the name of the guru of Devaki's son Kșşņa is given as Ghora Angiras who gave him lessons in ahiṁsā. According to the Jain belief it was Bhagavāna Neminātha who taught ahimsā to Krsna. Famous Buddhist scholar Dharmananda Kaušāmbī, in his book Bhāratīya Samskrti aur Ahimsā, has mentioned of the possibility that Ghora Angiras and Neminātha were names of the same person. Scholars should give some thought to this speculation.
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