Jain Ramayana Part 1

SR No.: 002021
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 452
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 21 MB

Page 217

The Revenge
be become a Shravika. Brahmaruchi asked her if she would give her consent to his becoming a sadhu; and whether that would cause any unhappiness to her. Kurmi was a noble lady; and she knew her duty very well. It did not take much time for her to understand her husband's opinion and his spiritual aspiration. So, she happily gave her consent to his becoming a sadhu. The Tapasi, Brahmaruchi obtained his wife's consent; and, at once, he became a Shraman. He received from the Shramans initiation into the Sadhudharma; and Kurmi who was pregnant became a Shravika.
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The Shraman, Brahmaruchi carried out Padyatra with the other Shramans going from place to place and remained in their company; and Kurmi remained in the Ashram living according to the principle of the Shravikadharma; and taking proper care of the child in her womb.
Every day, she recited with devotion, the Namaskar Maha Mantra taught her by the Shramans. She spent most of her time in contemplating and meditating on Lord Jineshwar. She gave up eating prohibited food such as roots. She ate only the fruits that could be eaten according to the principles of the Shravikadharma. She drank the water of the river, after filtering it.
Thus she spent the nine months of her pregnancy. She gave birth to a beautiful and radiant male-child. Some extraordinary incidents took place at the time of his birth. As soon as being born, he did not cry like other children. Because he did not cry, he was named Narad (one who does not cry).
Once, the lady left her child sleeping on a bed of leaves in the shadow of a tree and went to fetch water from the river.
Just at that time, a god belonging to the line of Jrumbhak, who had come down to earth, to visit all the holy places was returning home after having visited all the Tirthas. On account of the sublime merit (Punya) of the child, the heavenly being was greatly fascinated by him. In order to fulfil his desire, he decided to carry away the child. Accordingly, he abducted the