Agam 21 Upang 10 Pushpika Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

Page 24

Pushpika -Upang-10- Chapter-4 in Vibhel village. After seeking formal permission according to the ascetic conduct she will camp there.
Later while moving about to seek suitable alms from ordinary, middle, and high class families in Vibhel village, a group of two-three aryikas (female ascetics) will come to Rashtrakoot's house. Soma Brahmani will be happy and pleased to see the aryikas (female ascetics) coming. She will at once get up from her seat, take seven-eight steps forward and pay homage to them. After availing the opportunity of giving ample ashan, paan, khadya, svadya ahaar (staple food, liquids, general food, and savoury food) as alms she will submit
"Aryaas ! Enjoying a variety of worldly pleasures with my husband Rashtrakoot gave birth to one twin every year for sixteen years making a total of thirty two children. Of these adolescents, children, and infants of different ages—some sleep reverse on the bed, ... and so on up to... and some urinate. Due to being ever smeared with stool, urine, ... and so on up to... stinking and repulsive appearance I am unable to enjoy the desired worldly pleasures with my husband Rashtrakoot. Therefore, 0 Aryaas I wish to listen to your religious discourse."
At this request from Soma those aryaas (female ascetics) will preach austerities, discipline and other different aspects of the religion propagated by Tirthankars.
Soma Brahmani will be happy and contented after listening to, contemplating over, and understanding the religious discourse by the aryikas (female ascetics). She will pay them homage and obeisance. Therafter she will say—"Beloved of gods ! I respect and believe the preaching of the Nirgranth (the Omniscient) and have faith and interest in it. I want to embrace it. O Aryaas ! What you have said is correct, true, and real. I will request my husband Rashtrakoot. Seeking his permission I would like to get initiated by you after getting my head tonsured."
The aryikas (female ascetics) will reply—"Beloved of gods! Do as you please and avoid languor when doing a good deed."
Then Soma Brahmani will pay them homage and bid farewell to the aryikas.
Then that Soma Brahmani will go to Rashtrakoot and raising her joined palms to her forehead shall say—"Beloved of gods ! I have listened to religious discourse by aryikas (female ascetics) and found it suited to my liking and interest. Therefore, 0 Beloved of gods! After getting your permission I would like to go to Aryika Suvrata and get initiated as an ascetic."
At these words from Soma Brahmani, Rashtrakoot will say
"Beloved of gods ! Please don't tonsure your head, renounce the household and get initiated immediately. Enjoy more mundane pleasures and comforts with me as before and get initiated by Suvrata Aryaa only when you have had enough."
(After accepting this advise from Rashtrakoot) Soma Brahmani will take her bath, ... and so on up to... surrounded by a group of maid servants come out of her house. She will arrive, passing through Vibhel village, at the upashraya (place of stay for ascetics) of Suvrata Aryaa. After paying homage an obeisance to Suvrata Aryaa she will commence her worship.
Then Suvrata Aryaa will preach to Soma Brahmani austerities, discipline and other different aspects of the religion propagated by Tirthankars including a being is trapped in bondage due his deeds and gets liberated by shattering the shackles of karmas through his
Aagam -21 - Pushpika
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
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