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

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

Page 371

F05 Story - Stories after Bhagwän Mahävir
01 - Vajrakumär
The king told Vajrakumär, "Vajrakumär, although you are very little, you are a very intelligent boy." Pointing towards his mother, he said, "She is your mother. She is very affectionate and loving. She has lots of toys, sweets, and good clothes for you. She wants you back. On the other side," pointing towards Monk Dhangiri, he continued, "there is a monk who has given up worldly life. He is full of restraint and lives the life of renunciation. He is very virtuous and a revered person. He also wants to keep you with him to teach you about spiritual life. Now you must decide which way you want to go. Do you want to go with your mother or with the monk?"
There was pin drop silence. Everybody was eagerly waiting to see what Vajrakumär would decide. Vajrakumär was very serious today. He got up, and as he walked, he glanced at his mother and Muni Dhangiri. Sunandä started screaming, "Son, come here. See, I have brought you toys, sweets, and new clothes. Please, please, come to me."
On the other side, Muni Dhangiri did not have anything with him except an ogho (a broom to clean the way before walking). He showed that to Vajrakumär.
Vajrakumar picked up the ogho and started dancing with it. He started smiling again. Then he decided to sit down with Muni Dhangiri and looked at everybody with a joyful face.
Everybody in the courthouse, including the king and Sunandä, were amazed that the young boy chose monkhood instead of a luxurious worldly life. Sunandä accepted the decision of Vajrakumar and wished him success. She celebrated Vajrakumär's dikshä with joy and delight. Later, Vajrakumar became a great acharya.
Moral:
A human soul is capable of having high religious values and faith at any age. The story of Vajrakumär clearly shows us that it is never too early to learn religious values and to practice religion.
Highlights:
Vajrakumar was born in a rich Brahmin family to Dhangiri and Sunandä.
Dhangiri took diskha after listening to the sermon of a Jain achärya named Singhiri.
• As a baby he heard the word "diskha" and remembered his previous life and decided he wanted to take diksha. However, he knew his mother would not let him go easily.
So he cried and cried till his mother was sick of him and offered him to his father as alms.
After a few years, Vajrakumar grew up to be a lovable boy and his mother found out about that. Sunandä went to the king and requested that Vajrakumar should be given back to her.
In the king's court, the decision was left to Vajrakumar - one one side were gifts and toys from his mother and on the other side was only a ogho from his father. Vajrakumar picked up the ogho and his mother accepted his decision.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 371 of 398