$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 351

F04 Stories during Bhagawän Mahävir's Life
face that much distress for the sake of a rabbit and attain this priceless human life in return, how can you not face the accidental kicking and the dirt from the feet of your fellow monks? Do you realize that by renouncing this worldly life and by becoming a monk you have taken the first step towards the long journey of liberation? Remember that all these sufferings and happiness are only due to our own karmas. They are only temporary by their very nature. The everlasting happiness is achieved only upon liberation."
05 Meghakumär
Meghakumar was spellbound by the Lord's words and realized his mistake. He requested the Lord to reinitiate him since he had virtually broken his vow of monkhood by strongly desiring worldly life. The Lord did so, and Meghamuni, as he was called thereafter, started leading a rigorous, austere life. Fasting for days at a time, he stayed in meditation a lot in order to eradicate his karmas. When his body became very weak and he could no longer observe the rigors of ascetic life, he decided to observe the fast until death. This vow is called Sanlekhanä. He fasted for a month on mount Vaibhärgiri near Räjgrihi. Upon death, he was born in heaven. Bhagwan Mahavir has stated to Gautam-swämi that at the end of the heavenly life, Meghakumar would be reborn as a human being and would attain liberation.
Moral:
Here is a great example of compassion or Karuna Bhavna. An elephant bears discomfort and pain to save a little animal. As we are more developed and more rational beings, we should learn from these animals to be helpful to each other. In addition, when one takes an oath to lead the life a monk, one should not revert to a worldly life or even entertain thoughts of doing so. An ascetic life is a very tough and rigorous life which makes one realize and understand the true nature of the soul. In order to achieve this understanding, one must put aside the worldly life permanently because it tends to distort things. Suffering occurs because of one's past karma, so one should bear it with patience and focus on the soul for self-realization.
Highlights:
Son of King Shrenik and Queen Dhärini
Was an elephant in his previous birth and saved a rabbit from a wild fire • Died because he held up his foot for 3 days and reborn as a prince Observed Sanlekhanä at the end of his life
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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