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PART IV STORIES DURING BHAGAWAN MAHAVIR
Outwardly, Prasannachandra was unperturbed, but inwardly, his mind was growing restless. He visualized the frightened face of his young, helpless child and was mentally present at Pottanpur to protect his son. Mentally, he ordered the army to be prepared for battle and saw his army carry out the order. Even he came with arms onto the battlefield and wounded or imprisoned all who threatened to harm the well-being of his son. This agonizing state of mind full of violence and fear were contradictory to the peaceful outward nature that he was manifesting. New thoughts were perpetually fueling the fire of wrath and vengeance burning within his mind. However, he heard the appreciative words of a humble layman thanking him for his exemplary lifestyle. "Leaving all worldly luxuries and practicing sädhana is noble indeed". The monk began to really think: Whose son? Whose empire? Of what am I thinking? Why do these earthly cares plague me so? What good can come of wishing harm for others? Such attachment is not wise. I must repudiate such inane feelings of victory and defeat. Such are the thoughts of irrational men. I wish to be beyond such trifles. His thoughts were now directed to the proper idea. Prasannachandra had pure thoughts and a new vision. The mental enemies disappeared. The delusion was over. The veils obscuring knowledge and perception were flung aside, thus clearing his path of all obstructions. Prasannachandra attained omniscience. When Prasannachandra was mentally doing battle before attaining omniscience, King Shrenik asked Bhagawan Mahävir "If monk Prasannachandra were to die right now, where would his soul go?" Bhagawan Mahävir replied, "Oh, King! If Prasannachandra were to die now, then he would be reborn in the seventh hell!" The King was surprised by this answer. He again asked the same question and Mahävir replied that if the monk were to die now, then he will reborn in the 12th heavenly region! Now King Shrenik was very surprised by these answers, and soon he heard sounds of joy. He asked Bhagawan Mahavir about these strange sounds, and Bhagawan Mahävir replied," Oh King! The monk Prasannachandra has attained omniscience! Then Bhagawan Mahävir explained to the King," The first time you asked me where he would go, I replied that he will be reborn in the seventh hell because at that time, he was mentally fighting and killing an army. Then he controlled his mind and was repenting for his bad contemplation caused by your minister, Durmukh. At that time, you again asked me where he would be born if he died immediately, and I replied that he would be born in the 12th heaven. Then the monk continued to purify his thoughts, and he eventually attained omniscience and you heard the voices of celebrations!
Moral: Thoughts can lead us to hell and thoughts can lead us to heaven. Thoughts can even lead the soul to liberation. You control your thoughts.
31 - Questions: 1. Why did King Prasanna become a monk? Whom did he entrust the kingdom to? 2. What words did Durmukh taunt him with? What were the thoughts going through Prasannachandra's mind on
hearing Durmukh's words? 3. When King Shrenik asked Bhagawan Mahävir where monk Prasannachandra's soul go, why did Bhagawan
Mahävir give a different answer both times? Why?
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JAIN STORY BOOK
