Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 124

104
The Unknown Pilgrims
Rajimati thought to herself: shame on my life! Since Ariștanemi has forsaken me, it is better that I (100) adopt the ascetic life.33
Thus, though Ariștanemi had chosen that path with joy, a joy in which the throng and even the gods shared, 34 Rājimati must needs choose it in pain. Nevertheless she adopted this state with such conviction that her example was contagious and a great number of her relatives and household followed her lead. Tradition affirms that the sadhvis who became disciples of the one who had speedily attained omniscience and had now become the tirthańkara Neminātha, numbered forty-four thousand, with Ārya Yakşiņi at their head.35 Rājimati, a member of this group, lived the ascetic life with all the fervour and chivalrous spirit of the milieu to which by birth she belonged. The following incident will show her pre-eminent faithfulness, strength and wisdom.
One day, as Rājimati was on her way to the holy mountain of Girinagara, overtaken by a storm, she was drenched with rain and, as night was falling, she entered a cave and removed her garments in order to dry them. Now, within this very cave, was also the muni Rathanemi, brother of Neminātha. Seeing Rājimati nackedness he was in turmoil. Very soon she saw him and, trembling, sat down, covering her body with her two arms. Then the well-known dialogue thus began:
33 Räimai vicimtei dhiratthu mama jiviya
jā ham tanaṁ paricattă seyaṁ pavvaium mama. US XXII, 29.
34 Cf. US XXII, 21-27; as the text indicates, Aristanemi lived at Dväravali, a city associated with the name of Kșşņa, and his dikşå took place at Mount Raivataka or Girinagara.
35 Cf. KS 166.