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NAMI PRAVRAJYĀ THE ORDINATION OF NAMI
The ninth chapter of the Uttarādhyayanasūtra carries the story of the ordination of Nami, the legendary king of Mithila. This tale is illustrative of the depth of true detachment when it occurs and that once it has occurred, one cannot be moved away from it even by the most enticing inducements. Juxtaposing the truly detached aspirant with the greedy one, it unequivocally declares that for the greedy the wealth of the three worlds is also insufficient, while for the contented it is quite meaningless. Like this it brings out the universal truth that nothing belongs to the truly detached and, whatever happens, he remains unmoved in his spiritual quest.
Nami's Plight -
Nami, the king of Mithila, once suffered from burning high fever for six months. All treatments failed. His condition did not improve in spite of best of court physicians treating him with all the curative skills at their command. One of them suggested that sandal paste be applied all over his body. The queens started grinding sandalwood for making the paste. While grinding, their bangles struck against each other and made a tinkling noise that
