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पंचम अध्ययन: शैलक
क्रोधित हो उठे तो पंथक ने चातुर्मासिक क्षमापना का कारण बताया। पंथक की बात सुन शैलक को बहुत पश्चात्ताप हुआ। वे तत्काल पुनः संयमी जीवन में जुट गये और वहाँ से विहार किया। उनके शेष शिष्य भी उनसे आ मिले और अंततः वे भी विशुद्ध श्रमण आचार का पालन करके मोक्षगामी हुए।
FIFTH CHAPTER: SHAILAK: INTRODUCTION
Title Shailak is the name of the king of a town named Shailakpur. Inspired by the feeling of detachment he became a disciple of Thavacchaputra. He became lax in his ascetic conduct due to the mundane comforts. This story highlights the importance of returning back to discipline from a life of lax conduct.
Gist of the Story-Krishna Vasudev ruled over the city of Dwarka. In the town of Dwarka lived a prosperous lady, Thavaccha, with her son. Once Arhat Arishtanemi arrived there. Inspired by his discourse Thavacchaputra decided to get initiated. His mother and Krishna Vasudev failed to stop him and he took Diksha from Arhat Arishtanemi.
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During his wanderings Thavacchaputra once arrived at Shailakpur. Impressed by Thavacchaputra's sermons King Shailak and his ministers took the required vows and became Shravaks (followers of Shramans).
During that period of time Sudarshan merchant lived in Saugandhika town. In that town Shuk Parivrajak preached about the ideals of the Sankhya school. Impressed with his discourse Sudarshan embraced the cleansing based religion of Shuk. Thavacchaputra also arrived in Saugandhika city. Sudarshan also went to his discourse. The preaching of Thavacchaputra influenced Sudarshan. Leaving the cleansing based religion he joined the discipline based religion of the Shramans and became a Shravak.
When Shuk came to know about this incident he took Sudarshan with him, came to Thavacchaputra and asked some questions. When his doubts were removed he became a disciple of Thavacchaputra. He studied the complete canonical text and became a great scholar. Thavacchaputra went to the Shatrunjaya hills and after a month long fast got liberated.
Lermonto
Ascetic Shuk once arrived in Shailakpur with his disciples. On listening to his discourse King Shailak renounced the world and took Diksha along with his five hundred ministers. Ascetic Shuk and one thousand of his disciples went to Shatrunjaya hills and attained liberation after taking the ultimate vow.
The harsh ascetic life did not suit ascetic Shailak and he became sick and Janaemic. Ascetic Shailak once arrived in Shailakpur town. When his son, king
CHAPTER-5 : SHAILAK
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