________________
THE WAY OF LIFE
minister. Sometimes, even worth and ability were not also taken into consideration. The yard-stick of worth or fitness was birth in a family.
24
THE CAUSE FOR STHULABHADRA'S RENUNCIATION
I think that all of you have heard of the name of Sthulabhadraji. Sthulabhadra's father, Shakatal was the Chief Minister, in the court of Nandaraja, the emperor of Magadha. At the time when the Chief Minister fell a victim to a conspiracy and was assassinated, his son, Sthulabhadra was in the pleasure-chamber of Kosha, a courtezan of Magadha. He had been there for twelve years. He was so deeply infatuated with Kosha that for twelve years he never went home. But on account of the assassination of the Chief Minister, the position of Chief Minister fell vacant. The king offered the position to Shriyak, the younger son of the Chief Minister; but Shriyak replied, "Your highness; I cannot accept your gracious offer because, my elder brother Sthulabhadra is the lawful heir to that position. He has the right; not I".
The king was amazed and said, "Do you have an elder brother? Where is he? I have not at all seen him". It was true because Sthulabhadra had not gone to the King's court also for twelve years. He had been caught in the snares of a mad infatuation for Kosha. Shriyak said to the king; "Your highness! He has been in the house of Kosha for twelve years. He has not even come home". At once, the King sent for Sthulabhadra. The King's men went to Kosha's house; and conveyed to Sthulabhadra, the message of the King. The King's order had to be obeyed because Kosha was a court-dancer. Kosha had intimacy with the King also. Sthulabhadra went to the King's court; saluted the king and stood respectfully in conformity with the codes of conduct that had to be observed in the court. For a while, the king observed the physique of Sthulabhadra which was radiant, attractive and symmetrically shaped; and then said, "Your father passed away; so you have to be our Chief Minister in our court". Saying this, the King placed in his hands the signet-ring of the Chief Minister. Shriyak was
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org