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F04 Stories during Bhagawan Mahävir's Life
09 - Shalibhadra
He kept thinking that he was not a free person because there was someone like a king and master over him. He started to think about his father, who had become a monk, and the real meaning of life. He decided at that very moment to become a monk and told his family about his decision. His mother and all his wives tried to convince him to spend some more time with them. However, he was determined to renounce the world. Instead of renouncing all his possessions at once, he decided to give them up over a period of 32 days and then become a monk. Shalibhadra had a sister named Subhadrä. She was married to Dhannä. Dhannä had eight wives. One day Subhadra was giving her husband Dhannä a bath and suddenly tears rolled down her face and fell on him. He asked her why she was crying. She told him that her brother had decided to become a monk. He was going to give up his possessions over a period of 32 days and then become a monk after that. Dhannä laughed and told Subhadrä, "Your brother is a coward. If he wants to become a monk, then why wait for 32 days?" Subhadra was upset to hear that, and told her husband, "It is easier said than done."
This sparked awareness in Dhanna's mind and he told her, "I am giving up everything I have right now to become a monk." Subhadra was taken by surprise. She thought that her husband was joking. However, Dhannä said, "It is too late now. I am determined to become a monk. If you all want to join me, you are welcome." Seeing Dhanna's determination, Subhadra and his seven wives decided to become nuns. Dhannä then went to his brother-in-law's palace and challenged him, "Hey Shalibhadra! If you really want to leave your family and possessions, then what are you waiting for? Join me." Shalibhadra heard him and accepted the challenge. He told his wives and other family members, "I am leaving you all today." He went down to join his brother-in-law. His wives joined him too. All of them went to Lord Mahävir, accepted dikshä, and became monks and nuns. After observing severe penances as monks, Dhannä and Shalibhadra were born as heavenly beings in heaven. From there, they would be born again as human beings and attain liberation. Moral: Selfless service always pays off. Neighbors helping neighbors reflects a caring society. The virtue of a charitable act in the life of a little boy was rewarded multiple times in the life of Shälibhadra. As a result, he was able to leave everything easily. Good deeds always leave an imprint on the soul. Doing good deeds and practicing penance ultimately leads to the liberation of the soul. Highlights:
Shalibhadra was very poor, but earned a lot of punya karmas a result of offering kheer to a sadhu and staying hungry himself in his previous life He was living a life of luxury when King Shrenik came to visit him and made him realize the real meaning of life He took diksha with his brother-in-law Dhannä and both their wives joined them as well
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015
