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PART I TIRTHANKARS
turned back. No one could understand his decision. Räjul was in utter grief. Her friends tried to console her in that hour of crisis. Some of them started cursing Nemkumär for putting their beloved friend in such a miserable condition, while others advised her to forget the unpredictable Nemkumar and look for another suitable
match. However, in her heart, Räjul had accepted Nemkumar as her husband and she could not even think of any other person taking his
place. She did not like Friends consoling Princess Räjul
anyone
cursing Nemkumär or speaking
poorly of him. She also had some spiritual orientation. When she came to know of the reason for his renouncement, she was able to overcome her grief. She realized that Nemkumär had left for a commendable purpose. Appreciating his mission, she thought that the best path for her was to follow his footsteps. She absorbed herself in religious practices. When Räjul heard that Neminäth had become an omniscient she went to the Samavasaran along with many of her friends and took Dikshä. She absorbed herself in meditation and penance and spent the rest of her life as the head of the order of the nuns. In the end, after destroying all her karmas, she attained liberation.
Moral: Compassion towards animals is the hallmark of Bhagawan Neminäth's life story. Witnessing the killing and torture of animals on his account ignited his passion to search for a path that freed all from misery. Princess Räjul's story shows that she did not reproach him for his actions but followed him on his search for truth. One should never reproach another for right action.
04 - Questions: 1. Whom as prince Nemi engaged to? What did he hear and see when he came for the wedding? 2. What did he feel, think and say when all his relatives tried to stop him? 3. What did princess Räjul feel? What did she do?
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