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ÄCHÄRYA STHULIBHADRA
all life comes to an end. "Is there no way to escape death?" he asked himself. "What is the nature of life after all? Who am I, and what is my mission in life?" Thinking deep into these questions, he realized that the body and all worldly aspects are transitory and physical pleasures do not lead to lasting happiness. He looked at his image in the mirror and noticed the unmistakable marks of a lustful life. Having realized that he was wasting his youth, he decided to search for lasting happiness. He left Koshä and went straight to Acharya Sambhutivijay, the sixth successor to Lord Mahävir. Surrendering himself to the Acharya, he said that he was sick of his lustful lifestyle and wanted to do something worthwhile with his life. The Acharya considered his request carefully. Here was a young man of thirty who seemed to have lost the vigor of youth. The lustful life he had led had taken a toll on his body, but the brightness inherited from his illustrious father still glowed on his face. Seeing Sthulibhadra's determined and humble state, the learned Acharya saw in him a great future for the religious order and accepted him as his pupil. Sthulibhadra quickly adjusted to the new pattern of his life. The ambition that he had lacked in his youth soon emerged in his adulthood. Keen to make up for lost years, he devoted all of his energy to spiritual upliftment. He worked diligently, and in no time gained the confidence of his guru. He had successfully overcome his senses of attachment and lustfulness and gained control over his inner enemies. It was time for his faith to be tested. The monsoon season was approaching and the monks had to settle in one place during the rainy season which generally lasted four months in the Indian climate. Sthulibhadra and three other sädhus who had attained a high level of equanimity wanted to test their faith and determination by spending this time under the most adverse conditions. Each one chose the most adverse conditions for themselves. One of them requested
SHOX permission from his Acharya to stay at the entrance of a lion's den. Another wanted
Kumär Sthulibhadra's life from falling in love with Koshä, spending to spend the time near a
12 years of his youth with her and later being able to spend a snake's hole. The third
monsoon at her house with total detachment wanted to spend the four months on top of an open well. The Achärya knew that they were capable of withstanding these hardships and permitted them to do this. However, Sthulibhadra humbly asked to spend the monsoon in the picture gallery of the residence of Kosha. The Achärya knew how difficult this test would be for Sthulibhadra, but he also knew Sthulibhadra's determination and felt that spiritually, the monk would not progress any further without passing this test. Therefore, he permitted Sthulibhadra to spend the monsoon at Kosha's house. Sthulibhadra approached Koshä and asked her for permission to stay in the picture gallery during the monsoon season. Kosha was surprised to see him. He had left her in such an ambivalent state that she had not been sure if she would ever see him again. By this time, she was missing him and was happy to see him again, not knowing the true purpose of his return. For that monsoon season, both had different goals. Koshä endeavored to win him back into her life, using all her seductive skills. She felt that having him live in her picture gallery was to her advantage. In contrast, Sthulibhadra's goal was to overcome the strong temptation of Kosha's beauty. Who would win? Sthulibhadra's strong faith and determination served him well during this test. He focused his mind on spiritual meditation, contemplating the transitory nature of life and the need to break away from the cycle of birth and death. Ultimately, Koshä realized the wastefulness of her life and became his disciple. Sthulibhadra emerged spiritually stronger from this experience.
JAIN STORY BOOK
