________________
F03 Stories Preceding Bhagawan Mahävir
05 - Ilächikumar
omniscience, or keval-jnän. Then, he quietly climbed down the pole and bid farewell to every one as he left the place. Moral: The focus of this story is on the principle of detachment. The monk's detachment towards the beautiful woman guided lächikumar onto the right path. Attachment to materialistic things, people, or feelings often causes misery to others and to us. We should strive to minimize our attachment to the outer world (i.e. detach ourselves) and focus on our inner self. Attachment is an obstacle in the path of self-realization. Highlights:
llächikumar was born to wealthy businessman Dhandatta and wife llachi Ran away from home and joined a troupe of acrobats in order to marry the chief's daughter Realized detachment when witnessing a monk unaffected by a beautiful woman; gained Kevaljnän on a rope
Page 340 of 398
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
