Awakening of Karkandu Diwakar Chitrakatha 023

Author(s): Pankajmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

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THE AWAKENING OF KARKANDU
Thinking thus about the self Karkandu, the king of Kalinga, got enlightenment instantaneously. His soul awakened and was filled with the radiance of knowledge.
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He took off his regal attire and prepared for renouncing. At that moment gods appeared and dressed him as an ascetic. Karkandu became a Pratyek-buddha.
THE END
THE MESSAGE
This story of the life of Pratyek-buddha Karkandu teaches us that in troubled times patience and courage are the biggest assets of a man. One who has faith in his own power and luck is never afraid of anyone. Greatness lies in attitude and action not in caste. With purity of attitude and conduct a chandal becomes as pious as a Brahmin. The body, youth, strength, etc. are all short lived. One should observe discipline and austerities and under take other pious activities before the age makes the body feeble and weak. In the Jain scriptures there is verse about Pratyek Buddha Karkandu
सेयं सुजायं सुविभत्तसिंगं, जो पासिया वसहं गोट्ठ मज्झे, रिद्धि-अरिद्धि समुपेहियाणं कलिंगराया पि समिक्ख धम्मं ।
Meaning-When the king of Kalinga saw a young and healthy white bull with beautiful horns turn weak and disabled by ageing, he thought about the adverse effects of ageing and took to the spiritual path. He renounced mundane pleasures and with the help of yoga realized the self.
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