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 499

King Pratinandi's Awakening
How full of detachment was he! He had no attachment for his body. A man who is full of the spirit of renunciation becomes totally detached from the body. Shri Rambhadra decided to stay away from the countless devotees in the city, because the crowds of people began to disturb his spiritual concentration. Their presence seemed to sting his soul. When a man has renounced the samsar and is concentrating on his spiritual development the world seems meaningless and fruitless. The mahamuni Ramachandra had to attain deliverance from his Karmas. He had to attain victory over attachments, and hatred. so, he decided to stay in the forest and he became absorbed in meditation there. Freeing himself from all kinds of thoughts and reflections, he became absolutely absorbed in the Parambrahma. When a man has no attachment for the body, he experiences no aberrations in his mind.
This event occurred one day. King Prathinandi of the city of Syandansthal went to that forest hunting accompanied by his soldiers. The horse he was riding had been excellently trained. In fact, it had been trained to act contrary to the wishes of its rider. So, it began galloping in a direction exactly opposite to his destination. When he tried to stop it, it increased its speed.
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He reached a lake by name Nandanpunya. The horse's feet sank into the rubbish on the banks of the lake.
King Prathinandi fell into deep agitation. His worry knew no bounds. Just then, his soldiers came up. They dragged the horse out of the rubbish. All were greatly tired and so they decided to rest on the bank of the lake.
Accordingly, the soldiers put up a tent there. They were engaged in preparing food. King Prathinandi bathed in the lake and then ate food with his companions. All enjoyed the dinner in the forest area.
But King Prathinandi did not know that even Shri Ramachandra was staying in the same forest. The whole forest had become hallowed by his spiritual austerities.
Moreover, it was not an ordinary day. It was the day on which Shri Ramachandra would end his fast. By means of his