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Jain Society of Greater Detroit
PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV JUNE 27-JULY 6 1998
SUNANDA (Roopsen)
Stories Of The Sadhviji
story begins with, “You were my dear Roopsen.” With these words Panchmahavrata Dhari (one who has renounced) Sadhvi Sunanda recounted the previous births of an elephant. Upon hearing her, the agitated elephant calmed down and the sadhviji started telling him that “We were both sexually obsessed with each other at one time, but our attachment to each was ill-fated due to bad karma. In the pursuit of sex you died and were reborn in my womb. Abortion-inducing medicine caused your second death. After that, at the hands of my husband, you, in the forms of a snake, crow, swan, and deer were hunted. We were enjoying consuming the flesh of your deer-body when we heard your life circle from Muniraj. At this time I renounced the world, taking diksha. Though you did not gratify your desires you are still roaming in this material world. Roopsen, now forget this craving of yours and submit yourself to Jineshwar and their teachings of renouncing worldly pleasures." There were tears in the eyes of the elephant having found freedom through Sunanda sadhvi's story.
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