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106
JAIN RAMAYAN
schedule of duties; and he too joined hands with her in educating his son, whenever he found time.
The boy was named Sodas.
In course of time, Sodas grew up to be a radiant boy. As soon as he entered the phase of boyhood he was sent to an ashram to be educated there. There he had the opportunity of learning the shastras and mastering the art of fighting with various weapons. Within a short time, he attained an absolute mastery over the various princely arts and accomplishments.
Sodas attained mastery over the arts of war and the other arts and accomplishments. Simhika always tried to bring all his attainments and accomplishments under the discipline and sway of spiritual and ethical virtues. He used to spend most of his time during the day in the company of his teachers and preceptors; and he used to spend his time during the nights under the elevating influence of his mother. During night times, Simhika taught him the mysteries of Dharma; and the spiritual duties that ought to be carried out in the human state of existence. She narrated to him inspiring and enlightening stories of all the Tirthankars from the first Tirthankar Bhagwan Rishabh'dev; and of all the great men known to history. Sodas heard these stories with enthusiasm and imbibed the lofty ideals embodied in them. In consequence, in his tender heart there arose a strong desire to carry out such sublime austerities and to lead such a lofty life. When he told his mother about the desires that arose in his heart, she swayed with delight.
Sodas had a bosom friend by name Anand. He was the son of the Court-priest; and he was his fellow-student in the Ashram school. Anand possessed virtues that his name signified. He always used to be in a state of joy and jubilation. Their friendship that began in the Ashram school continued to grow more and more intimate even after they left the school. The result was that Anand used to spend most of his time in the company of Sodas. They used to eat food together; to play together; to move about together and to sleep together. But the way of Anand's life was of a different kind. There was a world of
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| SR No. | 002022 |
| Book Title | Jain Ramayana Part 2 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Bhadraguptasuri |
| Publisher | Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana |
| Publication Year | 2000 |
| Total Pages | 518 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Mythology, & Story |
| File Size | 23 MB |