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NandiSootra
Vararuchi's disciples publicized so much that not only the public but the king was also convinced that indeed Shaktal had cooked up this conspiracy. One day when Shaktal offered his respects to the king, he turned his face with anger. Shaktal at once understood that the king was drawn into the trap of mistrust.
Worried and contemplating, Shaktal returned home. He called his son Shreyak and said "Son! King Nand has been caught in the net of misinformation spread by Vararuchi. The fire of his anger will engulf not only me but the whole family and lead to our destruction. I have seriously thought over the problem and come to the conclusion that I will sacrifice myself in order to ensure a strong and secure future for my family. Tomorrow when I go to the king's assembly and bow down to greet the king I will put taalput-vish (a deadly poison) in my mouth. When the king turns his face with aversion you should draw out your sword and behead me with one blow. I will already be dead due to the poison and you will become a confidante of the king."
Next day Shreyak exactly followed his father's instructions. When Shaktal was beheaded the king was taken aback. He asked Shreyak "What is this, Shreyak? You have assassinated your own father."Shreyak replied at once - "Sir, how can your faithful servant tolerate a person you are angry with? He is no more needed on this earth, which you are averse even to look at.
The king became a little sad at the death of his old minister, but at the same time he was highly impressed by the unique display of loyalty by Shreyak. He asked Shreyak - "Now you should accept the post of prime minister, Shreyak."
Shreyak - "Sir, I cannot be the prime minister while my elder brother Sthulabhadra is still there. For last twelve years he is living with courtesan Kosha. He should be summoned; he is the rightful incumbent to this post."
The king's messenger went and met Sthulabhadra at the residence of courtesan Kosha and gave him all the news including the king's order.
Sthulabhadra came to the assembly. The king pointed at the empty seat of thePrime minister and said "Sthulabhadra, your father, prime minister Shaktal has left for his heavenly abode. Now you should take this seat."
Sthulabhadra was lost into his reverie. He was filled with conflicting thoughts - a deep sorrow at the death of his father; offer of a high seat by the man who was the cause of his father's death; how can one believe a man with such wavering mind? And in the final reckoning this post and wealth all are ephemeral. What is the use of running after such transient things?
The train of thoughts continued and Sthulabhadra ended up getting detached from mundane life. Begging leave of the king, Sthulabhadra went to acharya Sambhootivijaya and got initiated as an ascetic. The king appointed Shreyak as his prime minister.
Ascetic Sthulabhadra commenced his itinerant ascetic life moving around with his acharya and immersed himself into pursuit of knowledge. After a lapse of a long period acharya Sambhootivijaya once again came to Patliputra for a monsoon stay. The acharya had three other brilliant disciples besides Sthulabhadra. The four disciples sought permission to spend the period of four months in solitude at places of their choice for the purpose of testing the level oftheir ascetic practices. One of them went to live inside the cave of a lion, another near the hole of a highly poisonous serpent, and still another on the parapet of a well. Sthuhbhadra selected the house of courtesan Kosha for his stay.
Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra
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Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
