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## Dhanna-Shalibhadra Munis's Anashan and Mata Bhadra's Khed-Prakashan
**Yoga Shastra, Third Prakash, Shlok 88**
Shalibhadra, feeling detached, was contemplating leaving his home and family. During this time, a Dharmamitra (spiritual friend) came to him and humbly requested, "Surasuravandi, the very embodiment of Dharma, the possessor of the four knowledges, Dharmaghosh Muni, has arrived in the garden outside this city." Shalibhadra was overjoyed upon hearing this and boarded his chariot to go see him. He reached there and paid his respects to Acharya Dharmaghosh and the other Munis, then sat before them to listen to their teachings. After the teachings, Shalibhadra politely asked, "Bhagavan! What is the way to be free from having another master over my head?" Acharya Shri replied, "Muni Diksha is the only way to gain mastery over the entire world. Nath! If this is the case, then I will receive Muni Diksha after seeking permission from my mother." When Shalibhadra said this, Acharya Shri replied, "Then do not delay in this matter." Shalibhadra went straight home from there and, after paying his respects to his mother, said, "Mataji! Today, I heard Dharma, the way to liberation from the sorrows of the world, from the mouth of Dharmaghosh Acharya!" "Vats! You have purified your ears by listening to Dharma! You have done well. You are truly the son of such a righteous father." Thus, his mother praised him. Shalibhadra said to his mother, "Mataji! If this is true, and I am the son of such a righteous father, then please bless me so that I can receive Diksha and achieve self-welfare." His mother, impatient, said, "Putra! It is appropriate for you to follow the Shravak Vrat right now. Following the Mahavrat is like chewing iron chickpeas. Your body is still very delicate. You have been nurtured with divine food and resources. Just as a young calf cannot bear the weight of a chariot, you will not be able to bear the weight of restraint right now!" Shalibhadra politely replied, "Ma! If a man who can enjoy the pleasures of life cannot bear the hardship of Mahavrat, then there is no one more cowardly than him." His mother, affectionately, said, "Beta! For now, bear the fragrance of the garlands of the mortal world and practice giving up pleasures. Gradually, as you become strong through practice, then you can accept Muni Diksha." Shalibhadra, obeying his mother's words, began to give up one wife and one bed (bedding) every day.
In Rajgriha, Shalibhadra's younger sister Subhadra's husband, Dhanna, was a Sarthavaha (merchant). He was as wealthy as he was righteous. One day, Subhadra was bathing Dhanna when hot tears fell from her eyes onto his back. Dhanna was startled and exclaimed, "Priye! Why are there tears in your eyes today?" Subhadra, with a choked voice, said, "Prannath! My brother, with the desire to receive Muni Diksha from Bhagwan Mahavira, is giving up one wife and one bed every day. In 32 days, he will have given up all his wives and beds and become a Muni. In my parental home, a brother is the only support for his sister! Remembering him, my heart filled up and tears fell." Dhanna, mockingly, said, "Your brother is a coward, a fearful and weakling like a jackal, who is giving up things slowly like this. If he wants to accept Mahavrat, why doesn't he do it all in one day?" Subhadra said, "Priyatam! It is easy to say, but very difficult to do. If accepting Mahavrat is easy, then why don't you accept it?" Dhanna, in reply, said, "You were the obstacle in my accepting Mahavrat, that's why I couldn't do it until now. Now, by the grace of auspicious karma, you have encouraged me and given me permission. So, from today, you are like my sister, and I will immediately accept Diksha." Subhadra said, "Nath! I said that in jest. You took it seriously. Please, do not leave us and your cherished Lakshmi." But Dhanna was already touched by the color of restraint. He said, "This Lakshmi and woman are all impermanent. Therefore, I will definitely accept Diksha with the desire to attain the eternal state by giving them up." Saying this, Dhanna immediately got up. Subhadra and Dhanna's other wives said, "If that is the case, then we will also follow you and accept Diksha." The great-souled Dhanna, considering himself blessed, readily gave them permission. By chance, Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira, while wandering, arrived at Vaibhargiri in Rajgriha. Therefore, Dhanna's Dharmamitra gave him this news. Dhanna, donating his immense wealth, sat with his wives in a Shivika (palanquin) and reached the feet of Shri Mahavira Prabhu. Dhanna, filled with fear of birth and death, accepted Diksha along with his wives.