Jain Legend Vol 1

SR No.: 007594
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 367
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 2 MB

Page 205

the left knee. At that time Jar kum ra came there in search of hunt. Thinking the yellow robed K a to be a deer, he released his arrow which pierced his right foot. K a screamed – “Who is this, who attacks me when sleeping? Come, face me.” Recognising K a's voice, Jar kum ra came forward – “Brother, I am your unfortunate brother Jar kum ra. To save you I kept wandering in forests and today finally I became your killer." K a told him the whole account of Dv rik burning and giving him the kaustubha gem, said – “Showing this, stay with the Pāņdavas. Now without crying for me, leave. In a while Balar ma will be here with water and will not let you alive. The moment Jar kum ra left, K. a died.
After sometime when Balar ma returned with water, he saw K a sleeping. He was surprised as to how could K a sleep with such thirst. Then he saw the injury on the foot and in anger, shouted - "Who wounded my brother in his sleep? Come forward, I shall teach you a lesson for attacking on the sly.” Saying this Balar ma started searching here and there for that killer. When he couldn't find anyone, he tried waking up K a and then taking his body on his shoulders, started walking ahead and would try to wake up K a thinking he is asleep.
This way Balar ma kept wandering in the forest, carrying K a's dead body. The charioteer of Balar ma, Siddh rtha, had taken initiation under Lord Nemin tha and observing austerities, completed his life and become a god. He thought – “How incurable is the result of karma and even people like Balar ma are not immune to it. I must explain to Balar ma. The god tried to explain through various forms and means and again and again kept repeating the words – “
K a is dead.”
In the end Balar ma began to think – “Is K a really no more? All these people are saying the same thing." Seeing this question arise in Balar ma's mind, the god appeared before him and said - "Baladeva! I am your charioteer Siddh rtha. By the grace of the Lord, through austerities and penance I have become a god. You had told me that if I became a god I should come to address you. Oh king! It is the unshakeable rule of the world that one who is born must die one day. Hence, please believe that Vasudeva K a is no more. If a knowledgeable and able person like you will be shaken up by the blow of death, what will be the condition of ordinary people? Hence it is useless to grieve after what is past. Please accept the path of restraint and self
205