Meghkumar

SR No.: 201063
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 3
Language: English
Classification: Article, Jaina_Education, & 0_Jaina_education_Story
File Size: 1 MB

Page 1

STORIES DURING BHAGAWÄN MAHÄVIR'S LIFE
23 Meghakumär
King Shrenik of Magadha region in the State of Bihar, India had a beautiful queen named Dhärini. Once while she was sleeping, she dreamt of a white elephant entering her mouth. She immediately woke up and told the king about her dream. King Shrenik knew that it was an auspicious dream. He called the dream experts who predicted that the queen would give birth to a very handsome and intelligent son who will excel in everything. The king and queen were very pleased to hear this.
During the third month of her pregnancy, queen Dhärini had an irresistible urge to ride an elephant in the country with the king when the sky is decorated with clouds of colorful hues, lightning is flashing and
it is raining. In most parts of India, it rains only during the monsoon season which is usually from June to October. Dhärini, however, had the urge during the off-season. The fulfillment of her urge was therefore a problem. In order to see that her health and well-being were not affected by the unsatisfied urge, the king asked his eldest son Abhaykumar, who was also the Prime Minister of the state, for a solution to satisfy the queen's urge. Abhaykumär had a friend who could do miracles. The friend arranged events exactly according to Dhärini's urge. She was therefore able to ride on an elephant with the king and satisfy her urge.
In due course Queen Dhärini gave birth to a very handsome and adorable baby boy. Rain in the Indian language is called Megha, so in commemoration of her urge during pregnancy, the boy was named Meghakumär. At the age of 8, he was sent to school where he learned all 72 types of arts and crafts and became an accomplished youth. He got married and enjoyed all the pleasures of worldly life.
Queen Dhårini riding an elephant
Once Lord Mahävir came to Räjgrihi, the capital city of Magadha and stayed in the Gunashil monastery. Almost every resident of Räjgrihi went to listen to His sermons. Meghakumär went as well. The sermon made a lasting impression on him. He realized the transitory nature of worldly situations and decided to renounce his worldly life. His parents were sad to hear about his plan. They tried everything possible to prevent him from renouncing worldly life. However, he remained firm. Nevertheless, in order to satisfy his parents' wish, he agreed to become the king for one day and was ceremoniously crowned king with all the royal pomp. Immediately after that, he left everything, renounced worldly life and became a disciple monk of Lord Mahävir.
At night, as a junior monk, he was given a place to sleep near the entrance. During the night, other monks using the restrooms had to walk past his side. Since no lamps are allowed in the Upäshray (the monks' residence), they happened to trample on his bed and sometimes their feet accidentally touched his body in the dark. Poor Meghakumär could not sleep for the whole night. He had grown up in luxuries. Therefore,
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