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CHANDANBÄLÄ
Sampul replied, "My Lord, this is Vasumati, the princess of Champäpuri, daughter of King Dadhivähan and Queen Dhärini." The King and queen now recognized her and invited her to live with them. Later, when Lord Mahävir attained keval-jnän (perfect knowledge), he re-established the fourfold order of the Jain sangh. At that time, Chandanbälä took dikshä and became the first nun (sädhvi). She became the head nun of the Jain order. Later on, she attained keval-jnän and liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Moral:
We can learn from a number of behaviors that are cited in this story. Moola's heart was blinded by jealously and therefore she did not understand Chandanbälä's plight, or the role of a mother, or the compassion of a father. This led her to do terrible things resulting in her acquiring bad karma. This depicts the destructive power of jealously and why we should avoid it. Next, the selfless old servant who told Dhanävah what had happened. She did this out of compassion and risked her own demise at the hands of Moolä. This good karma will bind to her soul as punya and demonstrates the principles of Jainism. Similarly, Dhanävah's compassion and treatment of Chandanbälä supports the proper role of a father and the willingness to help an orphan. Lastly, Chandanbälä's offering of food to Lord Mahävir, despite her own pitiful situation, was very selfless and came from the heart. Following the principles of Jainism ultimately led Chandanbälä to the path of liberation.
Note: The popular story violates the rules of sadhus asking for alms. Once a sadhu turns away from a house, he will not return to the house at that point. So, saying that Mahävir swami turned away from the house and then the last condition was fulfilled "tears in the eyes" at which time he returned to Chandanbala's house did not happen.
21 - Questions: 1. Who was Chandanbälä? How did she come to be sold in the slave market? 2. Who bought her? Why? How did he treat her? 3. What happened when Dhanävah went on a business trip? 4. What happened when Dhanävah returned from the business trip? 5. What happened when Mahävir came to Chandanbälä? What were his conditions for taking alms? 6. What happened when Mahävir took the lentils from Chandanbälä? 7. What happened to Chandanbälä after that?
JAIN STORY BOOK
