Agam 08 Ang 08 Antkrutdashang Sutra Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana, Rajkumar Jain, Purushottamsingh Sardar
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 554

to his sermon. After hearing the discourse he was enlightened and resolved to get initiated as a Shraman.
He took permission from his parents and got initiated.
It was the first night after becoming an ascetic. According to the ascetic protocol Megh Kumar was allotted a place to sleep near the gate. Due to the frequent movement of other ascetics Megh Kumar got kicked inadvertently throughout the night. He considered it to be an insult and could not sleep a wink throughout the night. This irritation made him decide to abandon the acetic life.
In the morning when he went to Bhagavan Mahavir to return his ascetic equipment, Prabhu told him in details about his two earlier births. This made him acquire Jatismaran-jnana (the knowledge about earlier births).
He was enlightened once again and was filled with a desire to serve ascetics. He indulged in lofty austerities and spiritual practices and after death reincarnated as a god in the Sarvarthusiddha celestial vehicle.
This is the complete story of ascetic Megh.
But in this Anga Agam, Antakriddashu Sutra (1/18) wherever his name has been mentioned it is with reference his paying homage to Bhagavan Mahavir. That description is as follows
Gautam Kumar (like Megh Kumar) was pleased to get this information from the attendant. He called his staff and said, "Beloved of gods ! Prepare a four horse chariot and bring it here immediately." The servants executed the order without delay.
Gautam Kumar (like Megh Kumar) got ready after his bath, propitious rituals and putting on his royal dress and ornaments. After adorning himself with white garlands of Korant flowers he ascended the chariot and with regalia and guards passed through the town and arrived at the Gunasheel temple. There he saw the miraculous things like canopy over a canopy, flag over a flag, and ascending and descending of a variety of gods including Vidyadhars, Charans and Jambhriks around Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir. He got down from his chariot and made five resolutions before proceeding to greet the Bhagavan. These resolutions were
(1) not to accept anything with any trace of life, (2) only to accept a thing without any trace of life. (3) to wear a jointless upper garment, (4) to join palms the moment the lord is seen, and (5) to focus thoughts over him.
When he reached near Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir, Megh Kumar circum-ambulated him three times in anti-clockwise direction and then bowed in reverence. Megh Kumar took an appropriate seat in front of the Bhagavan and joining both palms started worshiping him with a desire to listen to his preaching.
Antakriddasha Mahima