________________
403
which will destroy this body of mine, and if you can also stop the progress of old age which will efface the charm of my body, then uniy, I will certainly be ready to enjoy worldly pleasures, under your protection.
King --O Beloved of the gods i Death cannot be prevented by any one. Even gods and demi-goás are helpless in preventing it. So long as there are mental perversions of moral decline i-e passions in one form or another, in one's mind, then, the fear of Death is bound to exist.
Dhanya Śėgha--O Wise King! I do not choose the fear of Death, and therefore, I am also desirous of abandoning passions and worldiy enjoyments.
On seeing the firm resolution of Dhanya Śétha, the king made grand preparations for his Diksā and made a public proclamation in the town to the effect that persons who are really desirous of removing the fear of Death and who have girded their loins to destroy their passions and sensual pleasures but who are prevented only by their anxiety regarding their family -members and friends, or their caste-people, are hereby desired to be willingly ready to take Dīkņā, like Dhanya Śétha, and they are informed that the king will maintain their family-members and friends.
By this proclamation, a number of considerate, young, persons, accompanied Dhanya Sėjha and went to the Samavasarana of śramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāvira. Then presenting Dhanya Śétha and the youths before the Venerable Lord, King Jita, -satru said
"Bhagavan ! This Dhanya Śétha is the only son of his mother Bhadrâ Śéthāņi. He is the source of immense love to her. He is like her second heart. On hearing your preaching, he has renounced all worldly pleasures and their accompanying passions and he is desirous of living with you, and of observing the Five Great Vows of an ascetr His mother Bhadra Sèthānı has sent
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org