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

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

Page 363

F04 Stories during Bhagawän Mahävir's Life
13- Monk Prasannachandra
13- Monk Prasannachandra
One day King Prasanna was observing clouds and soon all the clouds vanished from the sky. Thus, the king realized the nature of life and thought that life is like clouds, which can end anytime. The cycle of birth and death never ends. Thus, he decided to renounce his worldly pleasures and decided to become a monk. He transferred his royal authority to his son, who was still a teenager.
Once, Prasannachandra, now a monk, came to Rajgriha with Bhagwan Mahavir. Standing on one leg, with arms raised, he was engrossed in meditation outside the Samavasaran. A large number of people, including King Shrenik, passed by without disturbing his deep meditation to see Bhagwan Mahavir.
Seeing the calm, quiet face of Prasannachandra, resplendent in meditational pose, Durmukh, a minister of King Shrenik, was possessed by a fit of mad jealousy and malicious intent to disturb the monk's tranquility. He taunted, "Having left your son, a minor, at the helm of affairs of your kingdom, you have become a carefree monk. Do you know how fearful your young son is in such a situation? Enemies have surrounded him on all sides! The kingdom and his life are both at stake! If you have any worth, show it. It is your duty to save your child from these perils, after which you should think of spiritual attainments." Outwardly, Prasannachandra was unperturbed, but inwardly, his mind was growing restless. He visualized the frightened face of his young, helpless child and was mentally present at Pottanpur to protect his son. Mentally, he ordered the army to be prepared for battle and saw his army carry out the order. Even he came with arms onto the battlefield and wounded or imprisoned all who threatened to harm the well-being of his son.
This agonizing state of mind full of violence and fear were contradictory to the peaceful outward nature that he was manifesting. New thoughts were perpetually fueling the fire of wrath and vengeance burning within his mind. However, he heard the appreciative words of a humble layman thanking him for his exemplary lifestyle. "Leaving all worldly luxuries and practicing sadhana is noble indeed".
The monk began to really think: Whose son? Whose empire? Of what am I thinking? Why do these earthly cares plague me so? What good can come of wishing harm for others? Such attachment is not wise. I must repudiate such inane feelings of victory and defeat. Such are the thoughts of irrational men. I wish to be beyond such trifles.
His thoughts were now directed to the proper idea. Prasannachandra had pure thoughts and new visions. The mental enemies disappeared. The delusion was over. The veils obscuring knowledge and perception were flung aside, thus clearing his path of all obstructions. Prasannachandra had attained omniscience.
When Prasannachandra was doing battle mentally before attaining omniscience, King Shrenik asked Bhagwan Mahävir "If the monk Prasannachandra were to die right now, where would his soul go?" Bhagwan Mahävir replied, "Oh King! If Prasannachandra were to die now, then he would be reborn in the seventh hell!" The King was surprised by this answer. He again asked the same question and Mahavir replied that if the monk were to die now, then he will reborn in the 12th heavenly region!
Now King Shrenik was very surprised by these answers, and soon he heard sounds of joy. He asked Bhagwan Mahavir about these strange sounds, and Bhagwan Mahävir replied, "Oh King! The monk Prasannachandra has attained omniscience! Then Bhagwan Mahävir explained to the king, "When you asked me where he would go the first time, I replied that he will reborn in the seventh hell because at that time, he was mentally fighting and killing an army. Then he controlled his mind and was repenting for his bad contemplation caused by your minister, Durmukh. At that time you again asked me where he would be born if he died immediately, and I replied that he would be born in the 12th heaven. Then the monk continued to purify his thoughts, and he eventually attained omniscience and you heard the voices of celebrations!
Moral:
Thoughts can lead us to hell and thoughts can lead us to heaven. Thoughts can even lead the soul to liberation.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 363 of 398