Jain Ramayana Part 3

SR No.: 002023
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 518
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, & Literature
File Size: 24 MB

Page 231

The circuitous wanderings through countless janmas
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tame as soon as it saw Bharath. Its intoxication disappeared in a moment. Revered lord ! I have not been able to realize the mystery behind this amazing event. How did the elephant become calm so suddenly on seeing Bharath? This question has been puzzling my mind. How did the elephant become calm on seeing Bharath. Is there any relationship of an earlier janma between the two ?”
The muni was silent for a while; and then he began to narrate a story in order to answer Shri Ram's question. "When the originator of the Dharma, Bhagwan Rishabhdev renounced the samsar; and became a Shraman, four thousand other kings also renounced the samsar and became Shramans following his example; and they began to travel on foot with the Lord.
The Bhagwan had been carrying out a vow of silence. The common people did not have a mind to render help to others. No one was willing to give anything. The Bhagwan was the first Bikshu (mendicant) in the world. For a year, he could get no Biksha (food) but he did not mind it. The four thousand other mendicants who were with him began to experience inordinate agitation and grief for not having been able to secure food. The result was that the four thousand mendicants left the company of the Bhagwan; and went away into the forests on the banks of the Ganga; and they began to live there. They ate the fruits available in the forests; and spent their time in reciting the name of the Bhagwan. The wheel of time was thus revolving.
There were two princes among them by name Chandroday; and Suryoday. In course of time, they died. They kept wandering through the mazes of the cycle of birth and death. After his death, Chandroday was born in Gajpur as the son of Harimati, the king of Gajpur; and Queen Chandralekha. He was named Kulankar. Suryoday also was born in Gajpur. He was born in a brahmin family. His father was Vishwabhuti. He was named Shrutirati.
In course of time, the prince became the king of the country; and the brahmin boy became the court-priest. There naturally