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Jain Society of Greater Detroit
PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV ASHADH 4-12 V.S. 2054
ANAATHI MUNIami (era of Mahavirswami)
One morning King Shrenik was out on horseback when he came across a sadhu, deep
in meditation. He bowed to the sadhu and asked: "Oh mahatma, you are so young, handsome, and intelligent, why have you chosen to be an ascetic?" The sadhu replied, "I am an orphan (anaathi)." The king said, "I will become your protector (naath). I will give you a post, riches, and all worldly comforts and you will have every happiness in my kingdom." The sadhu said, "Oh king, even though you have all these, you are more of an orphan than I ever was. If even the smallest of these comforts that you are offering were missing, you would be left craving for it. At one time I also had all these but when I developed an eye disease I realized that I alone had
to bear the pain. When
death draws near, no ma
terial thing will provide you succor or help and those same material things will remain here when you go. In indulgence and gratification of the senses there is only weakness and it is only in renunciation that there is true strength. It is for this reason that all who renounce this world consider Bhagavan Mahavir their protector." Inspired by what he heard from Anaathi Muni, King Shrenik surrendered himself to the grace of the Arihants.
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