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The initiation of fearlessness, the praise of contentment, the removal of disbelief towards the Muni.
Yoga Shastra, Second Light, Verse 115: The renunciant sadhus are mocked in vain. What right do we have to insult such a renunciant, when we ourselves are incapable of such renunciation? We should apologize to them. In the future, we should never despise, disregard, or ridicule them or any other sadhu. Thus, at the request of Abhaykumar, the people pledged their word and went to their respective places.
In this way, Abhaykumar, the ocean of wisdom, devoted to his father, detached, and devoted to dharma, ruled his father's kingdom in a well-organized manner. Only one who practices dharma himself can make others practice dharma. The nature of the people and animals is subject to the leader and the animal keeper. On the one hand, just as Abhaykumar relieved the king by taking on the burden of state affairs, on the other hand, he also became a steadfast mind by accepting the twelve vows of Shravak dharma. Just as he conquered the powerful enemies outside, he also conquered the internal enemies, obstacles in both worlds.
One day, King Shrenik said to him, "My son! Now you take care of this kingdom, so that I can serve the glorious Veer Paramatma with a peaceful mind." Abhaykumar, fearful of disobeying his father's command and also of worldly wandering, said, "Father! Your command is beautiful, but please wait a while." At that time, Lord Mahavira was also returning to Rajgriha from the desert, after initiating King Udayan. Abhaykumar went to his feet and bowed.
He asked the omniscient Tirthankara, "Lord! Who will be the last Rajarshi in your presence?" In reply, the Lord said, "Consider Udayan to be the last Rajarshi." Abhaykumar immediately went to King Shrenik and said, "Father! If I become king, then I will not be able to become a Rishi; because Veer Prabhu has declared Udayan to be the last Rajarshi. And having found a master like Veer Prabhu and a righteous father like you, if I do not cut off the sorrows of the world, then who else will be more wicked and insane than me? Therefore, father, I am called Abhay, but I am extremely afraid of the world. Therefore, please give me permission so that I can become completely fearless by taking refuge in the glorious Veer Prabhu, who gives fearlessness to the three worlds. What benefit do I have from this kingdom, which is a source of pride and attachment to worldly pleasures? Because the great sages find happiness not in desire, but in contentment."
When Abhaykumar was not eager to accept the kingdom, even after repeated requests from King Shrenik, the king, being helpless, readily gave his permission to take initiation. Abhaykumar, who desired the happiness of contentment, renounced the kingdom as if it were a straw and, with a spirit of detachment, accepted initiation at the lotus feet of the supreme Tirthankara Mahavira. The benevolent, contentment-bearing Shri Abhaykumar Muni, after completing his lifespan, went to the Devaloka called Sarvarth Siddha. Thus, any other person who takes refuge in the happiness of contentment also attains increasing happiness, like Abhaykumar. This is the life story of Abhaykumar, the devotee of contentment. ||114||
Now, the prevalent topic is the praise of contentment. ||171||
"Sanni dhau nidhayas tasya, kaama gavy anugaamini. Amaraa kinkaraayante, santosho yasya bhooshanam." ||115||
Meaning: He who has the ornament of contentment, understand that the nine treasures, including Padma, are in his hands; the Kamadhenu cow follows him, and the gods serve him as servants. ||115||
Explanation: The Muni, who is a devotee of contentment, can drop a heap of jewels from the tip of a straw due to the influence of calmness. They are capable of giving fruits according to their wishes, and the gods are eager to serve them in competition. There is no doubt about it.
Here we present the meaning of some verses related to contentment: 1. Wealth, 2. Grain, 3. Gold, 4. Silver, 5. Other metals, 6. Fields, 7. Houses, 8. Bipeds, 9. Quadrupeds; these are nine types of external possessions. 1. Attachment, 2. Aversion, 3. Other stories mention taking initiation without asking.