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In the Mahapurana, the Uttara Purana, it is said that Sagara became a Chakravarti due to his remaining punya (merit). Knowing this, Maniketu approached Sagara and said, "Why do you remember? We both used to say in the Achyuta heaven that whoever among us would be born first on earth would guide the other."
"O Bhavy (noble one), you have enjoyed the essence of the human birth, the kingdom, for a long time. What is the benefit of these enjoyments, which are like the fangs of a serpent, causing fear? O King, now strive for liberation."
Even after Maniketu said this, Sagara remained indifferent. This is understandable, for how can the path of liberation be attained without the grace of time?
Knowing Sagara's indifference, Maniketu engaged in other conversations and returned. This is also appropriate, for those who know the order of things, even if they speak harshly, do not act against someone's will, even for their own good.
"These enjoyments are despicable, they make people deviate from their own words, they generate sin, and they are very difficult to abandon." Thus, Maniketu, having attained detachment, went to heaven.
Then, after some time, Maniketu devised another plan to make the king embrace austerity and descended to earth. He assumed the form of a Charan Muni, endowed with many qualities. He was like the moon in radiance, like the sun in brilliance, and like Kamadeva in the beauty of his body. Thus, having conquered his senses, he cultivated supreme restraint and, after paying homage to the Jina, he stayed in Sagara's temple.
Seeing him, Sagara was astonished and asked, "Why have you adopted this state of austerity?" The Charan Muni replied, "Youth is consumed by old age, life is diminishing every moment, this body is impure, sinful, difficult to control, and a vessel of suffering, therefore it is worthy of abandonment. There is always a union with undesirable things and a separation from desirable things. This whirlpool of the world has been going on since time immemorial and yet it continues endlessly. All this state of the living being is caused by the enemies in the form of karma. Therefore, I will burn these karma-enemies with the fire of austerity and attain the eternal purity, like a golden gem, and attain liberation."