Agam 06 Ang 06 Gnatadharma Sutra Part 01 Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana, Surendra Bothra, Purushottamsingh Sardar
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 25

प्रथम अध्ययन : उत्क्षिप्त ज्ञात
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inspiring cause is inherent compassion. In the herculean task of rising and remaining in that elevated state this feeling of compassion plays a unique and important role. This story vividly highlights that role.
Gist of the Story-King Shrenik and queen Nanda of Rajagriha (Magadh) had a son named Abhay Kumar. He was extremely intelligent and worldly wise. On behalf of King Shrenik he managed all the affairs of the state. King Shrenik had another beautiful queen whose name was Dharini. One night she saw a dream of a giant white elephant entering her mouth, and got up. King Shrenik and the dreamdiviners interpreted that Queen Dharini will give birth to a brilliant son.
Queen Dharini became pregnant and during the third month of pregnancy she had a desire to enjoy untimely monsoon. She informed King Shrenik. When the king could not come up with any solution he was frustrated and worried. He told everything to his able son Abhay Kumar, who assured the king, invoked a friendly god and sought his help. This god created an enchanting atmosphere of untimely monsoon and fulfilled the queen's desire.
In due course Dharini gave birth to a child who grew into a healthy and intelligent youth. After proper education he was married to eight beautiful princesses.
Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir once arrived in Rajagriha city. Finding about the arrival of Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir, throngs of people came to pay homage to him and listen to his discourse. Megh Kumar also came there. The profound and inspiring discourse of Bhagavan Mahavir evoked feelings of detachment in Megh Kumar. He decided to get initiated into Mahavir's order. King Shrenik and Megh Kumar's mother tried instilling fear and antipathy for ascetic discipline. But the awakened spirit is never afraid of any hurdle or pain. Accepting his request Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir initiated Megh Kumar into the order.
On the very first night, being the junior most, Megh Kumar was allotted the last place, near the gate, to sleep. During the night, for their essential duties, many ascetics kept on going out and coming back. Disturbed by all the commotion of this perambulation Megh Kumar could not sleep a wink throughout the night. Next morning he went to Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir who became aware of Megh's problem without his telling. To pacify his inner turmoil Bhagavan narrated a story
"Megh! Once upon a time in the valley of the Vaitadhya mountain there lived a giant elephant named Sumeruprabh, Once, driven by a forest-fire and, in search of water it entered a large pond and was caught in the swamp. Just at that moment another strong and young elephant arrived and driven by a feeling of animosity from the past, it pierced Sumeruprabh's back with its sharp tusks. The elephant died suffering
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CHAPTER-1: UTKSHIPTA JNATA