Dhammakahanuogo

SR No.: 001954
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kanhaiyalal Maharaj, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Agam Anuyog Prakashan
Total Pages: 810
Language: Prakrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari, Agam, Canon, Story, Literature, & agam_related_other_literature
File Size: 20 MB

Page 42

mental agony patiently." On hearing this story of his previous birth, ascetic Meghakumāra was enlightened and re-established himself in his monkhood. He started practising severe penance, as a result of which his body was emaciated, as if containing no flesh or blood. It was with great exertion that the ascetic could walk or sit, and when he tried to get up his bones cracked like a dried leaf or a piece of wood. He attained the highest state of perfection and achieved liberation at the Mt. Vipula.
6. The Ascetic Arjunaka In the reign of king Srenika, there lived a garland-maker, named Arjunaka in the city of Rajagsha, Bandhumati was his wife. He had a big flower-garden outside the city which looked beautiful with flowers. Not far from the garden there was a shrine dedicated to the yakşā called Mudgarapāņi (equipped with iron mace). He was a family-deity of the gardener. Arjunaka got up in the morning, took his flower-basket and proceeded to the garden. He plucked flowers, offered puja to the deity and maintained his livelihood by selling flowers on the city road.
Once a festival was going to be celebrated in the town. The gardener went out with his wife to his flower-garden. After gathering flowers both proceeded to worship the deity. When both were engaged in worship, there appeared a gang of six debauched persons, who were hiding behind the doors. No sooner they got an opportunity, they fastened the gardner tightly and raped his wife.
The gardener stood as a helpless spectator. He reflected in his mind, "Look, I have been a faithful devotee of this deity from my childhood. Had he possessed power, he could not have been indifferent seeing the act of debauchery. He appears to be simply a log of wood."
It is said that realising the inner feelings of his devotee, the deity entered the body of the gardener and unfastened his ties. Then holding his mace he proceeded towards the city. First of all, he killed the six gangsters and the garderner's wife. Then he killed numerous citizens and started roaming about freely in the city.
rdenekanavira. How and got angry a result he
At this time a pious layman named Sudarsana was going along to pay homage to Mahavira. As soon as the deity happened to see him he attacked him with his iron mace. But it is said that as Sudarsana was a virtuous man, no harm could be done to him. In the meantime, the deity left the body of the gardener and went away. The gardener accepted the vows of a Jain ascetic under the guidance of Mahavira. However, when the ascetic roamed about in the city for collecting alms, people recognised him and got angry with him talking that it was he who was responsible for the death of their kiths and kins. As a result he was not treated gently by the citizens and often had to remain without food and drink. He had to bear the agony with equanity of mind. In course of time he died without fo and achieved the sublimity of perfection.
1. Compare 'extreme emaciation of Dhanya's body, Anuttarovavāiya, 3.1; Dhammakahānuoga, II, .00-102