________________
Antakrud-Dasha-Ang-08 - varga-6, Chapter 15 Hearing this Atimuktakumara spoke to Reverend Gautama thus-o reverend !you please come with me so that I may get you alms.
So saying he held Reverend Gautama by finger and took him to his own house.
As soon as queen Shreedevi saw Reverend Gautma coming to her house, she became very glad, got up from her seat, came to the Reverend Gautama circumambulated him thrice, bowed down and worshipped him and then gave him best meals-food, water, eatables and dainities in plenty and respectfully saw him off.
Thereafter prince Atimuktakumara asked Reverend Gautama-O beloved of gods! Where do you live?
Reverend Gautama answered-O beloved of gods!My religious preceptor and religious preacher Bhagavana Mahavira, promoter (beginner) of religion and desirous of attaining salvation, is staying abiding himself with restrain and austerity. He is staying here in Shreevana garden, outside the city of Polasapura, after taking proper permission, we all stay there.
Then Atimuktakumara said to Reverend Gautama-Reverend Sir! Can I come with you to bow down to Bhagavana Mahavira?
Gautama Swami said-O beloved of gods! Do as it pleases you.
Then Atimuktakumara came to Bhagavana Mahavira with Gautama Swami, and thrice circumabulating Bhagavana bowed down and worshipped and sat near the Loard.
Now Gautama came to Bhagavana Mahavira, showed him the meals he had brought and then took it. He later absorbed his soul in penance and constraint.
In the mean time Shramana Bhagavana Mahavira told religious discourse to Atimuktakumara. Hearing and taking to heart theat discourse he became very glad and uttered
O beloved of gods! Your discourse is very interesting and dear to me. It touched my heart. Taking permission of my parents I intend to enter the sage order accepting consecration at your feet.
Bhagavana said-Do, as you feel happy, O beloved as gods! But do not delay in auspicious deed.
Thereafter, Atimuktakumara came to his parents, bowed down and said-I have heard the religious discours from Bhagavana. It was very interesting to me. By your permission I intend to accept consecration.
Then parents became very sad and said to Atimuktakumara-o son! Still you are a child. Your intelligence is undeveloped. What do you know about religion?
Atimuktakumara replied-Parents! What I know, I do not know and what I do not know, I know.
Parents said with astonishment-Son! What you know, you do not know and what you do not know, you know. How is it? What is its meaning?
Atimuktakumara replied-Parents! I know that one who is born, has to die; but I do not know when, where, in what manner and after what length of time he will die.
Again I do not know after what types of deeds (karmas) souls take birth in hellish, animal, human and god state; but I definitely know that souls take birth in hellish, animal, human and god state due to their own deeds (karmas).
Hence it is definte; parents!that what I know, the same I do not know and what I do not know, the same I know. Therefore, parents! I intend to accept consecration with your permission. Aagam - 08 - Antakrud-dasha
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
[49]