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While discharging pious duties, sometimes a man slips from his path, and gets entangled in an unexpected
p. One day, Nandis ena came to the village to beg food. It was a sheer accident that he found himself into a harlot's home. He met a lady inside. In his usual manner, he asked,
"May I get some right food here" ?
The women observed the begger-like appearance and mean status of the man, and spoke out instantaneously,
"One who is rich is welcome at my door, but a poor man, a beggar, has no place here".
These words of the fallen woman roused a strong ego in him. He thought that the woman had not yet recognised him, that she had no idea of the powers of his penances. He should display some. It was time for that. He picked up a stick from the floor and broke in into two, and at once, there was a shower of gold coins from the stick. The woman looked at Nandis ena, as Nandis ena looked at her. She did not realise for once if this was a dream or a reality; but soon she recollected herself with great skill. She came forward and welcomed Nandisena with all sorts of lusty overtures. This became an occasion for a straight clash between Attachment and Detachment. On one side, there were penances practised over years, and, on the other there was the sweet welcome that he had just received a couple of minutes ago. Nandis ena forgot all about his penances and responded to her overtures. He agreed to enjoy life in her charming company.
Knocked out from the spiritual path, Nandis ena dangled for some time between two extremes. The only bright spot was the vow he took even in this lowly position. The vow was as follows:
'Everyday, I shall send 10 persons to join as monks the holy order of Mahavira. Till this vow is fulfilled, I shall not touch any food'.
Nandisena remained true to his vow. Everyday, he induced 10 persons to join the nirgrantha order and sent
| SR No. | 022804 |
| Book Title | Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Nagaraj Muni |
| Publisher | Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers |
| Publication Year | 1986 |
| Total Pages | 804 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 19 MB |