Jain Journal 1971 01

SR No.: 520021
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1971
Total Pages: 54
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 43

JANUARY, 1971
137
pretending to sleep he became witness to the misconduct of his brother with his own wife. He reported the affair to the king, Aravinda, just but stern monarch, who had Kamatha forcibly mounted upon an ass, marked with many insignia of shame, and expelled from the city.
Kamatha, disgraced, deprived of wealth and relatives, roaming solitary in the forest, brooded revenge against his brother. He decided to bide his time, consumed by wrath, yet unable to retaliate, he happened upon a hermitage in the forest, took sacred vows (dikşā) and practised asceticism on a mountain. In the mean time, Marubhuti became despondent on account of the dire retribution he had brought upon his brother. Even though restrained by the king, he went to the forest to conciliate Kamatha. He threw himself upon his knees and begged forgiveness, but Kamatha took up a stone and with a single blow smashed his brother's head, and at the same time his own ascetic vow. While in pain from that mortal hurt Marubhuti harbored distressed thoughts (ārta dhyāna); he was, therefore, reborn as a wild elephant, leader of a herd in the Vindhya mountains. His sister-in-law Varuna also blinded by anger, was born as a she-elephant, and became his mate. Wildly they roamed together in the forest.
King Aravinda, living at the pinnacle of worldly pleasures, one day contemplated a great storm. The breaking of the clouds reminded him of the perishableness of all things in samsāra. Disgusted with his own excessive indulgences, he decided to abandon the world and its pleasures. His wives begged him not to abandon them, nor to expose the kingdom to danger. Nevertheless he took the vow in the presence of a teacher and wandered about solitarily through towns and villages. During these roamings he met a merchant, Sagaradatta, who asked him where he was going. He replied that he was going to Mount Kailasa to honour the gods. Sagaradatta asked whether there was any profit in honouring these hand-made gods. Aravinda replied that his gods were twentyfour Arhats, Rsabha, etc., who had surmounted passion, were omniscient, were honoured by Sakra. By the teaching of the law, they had become the saviours of every being. These Arhats must be worshipped and alms must be given without doubt or question.
In consequence of the instruction of the royal sage Aravinda, Sagaradatta became a Jaina lay disciple (śrāvaka). Going on his way, Sagaradatta arrived at the place where the elephant king Marubhuti, was in the habit of disporting himself with his females. Sagaradatta camped on the banks of a beautiful lake. The elephant Marubhuti came there to drink and proceeded to attack Sagaradatta's caravan,