Atimukta and Arjun Malakar Diwakar Chitrakatha 059

SR No.: 006656
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Virendramuni, Sanjay Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Children Story, & Literature
File Size: 19 MB

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ATIMUKTA KUMAR AND ARJUNA MALAKAR
Bhagavan Mahavir said 'Soul is Supreme-soul (The God)'. Right effort, with pure feelings, in spiritual practices takes a soul to the level of Supreme Soul. We have presented the stories of two such virtuous souls who attained the state of liberation (Moksha) through their own efforts. The first story is - 'Sage Atimukta'. The story of his life is available in Antakritdashanga Sutra and Bhagavati Sutra.
Ganadhar Gautam, the chief disciple of Bhagavan Mahavir, was once moving about seeking alms in Polaspur city. A boy saw him and brought him home with earnest request. After collecting alms, when Gautam Swami started back the child followed him to Bhagavan Mahavir's religious assembly (Samavasaran). Listening to Bhagavan's pious words, he was filled with feelings of detachment and finally got initiated.
After rains ascetic Atimukta one day accompanied the senior ascetics to jungle for nature's call. Looking at flowing water his playful child nature surfaced. Raising a sand wall he blocked the flowing water and put his ascetic pots on the surface to float. Then he uttered with joy, “Float my boat! Float!” The moment senior ascetics saw this activity of Atimukta defying ascetic-discipline, anger was visible on their faces. Atimukta corrected himself and was remorseful of his deed. With earnest repentance he purified himself. When the ascetics returned to Bhagavan they told him about this incident and asked, “After how many rebirths he will get liberated?” Bhagavan said, “This is his last birth before he gets liberated. Though small in body, his soul is great." After vigorous austerities ascetic Atimukta attained liberation.
The second story is about Arjuna Malakar. His story is available in the eighth section of Antakritdashanga Sutra. How a simple garland-maker (malakar) turned to be a cruel murderer and then how his life suddenly changed when he was about to hit Shravak Sudarshan merchant. He came to Bhagavan Mahavir's Samavasaran and after listening to the Sermon got initiated. From Arjuna Malakar he became ascetic Arjuna and took to the path of ascetic-discipline. As people knew him only as a ferocious murderer, they hit him angrily with sticks and stones when they saw him unarmed and dressed in white. Ascetic Arjuna endured all this with equanimity and forgiveness. Within a short period of six months he cut the Karmic bonds and got liberated. It is a unique and astonishing story.
These tales published as a comic-book will leave permanent imprints of forgiveness, compassion, austerity, generosity and righteousness on your mind.
Associate Editor: Sanjay Surana
Editor : Shri Virendra Muni
English Translation: Surendra Bothara
Illustration : Satya Prakash Tiwari
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