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[ The Previous Lives of Lord Mahavira
to the teachings of the Tirthankara, but as a feeling of Nidana ( remuneratine hankering ) had sprung within him it was difficult for him to renounce the world. That was why he indulged in wordly pleasurse throughout his life, arranged dances and concerts, went on pleasure trips, and took part in all sorts of amusements. And in the end the result was the same as it should be expected, after death his soul was born in the seventh Hell, and this was the twentieth birth of the Jiva of the Lord Mahavira.
Baladeva Achalakumara felt this separation from his brother very deeply. He would give his mind neither to the administration of the state nor to the pleasures and amusements of the palace. The very world appeared like a snake to him. He regarded his infinite wealth and all his royal pleasures as much burden upon his head. One day lie suddenly recollected the religions instructions of Lord Shreyansa Natha and that very moment he developed a feeling of indifference for the world. He went forth from his house in search of the Tirthankara and at last when he had found him and touched his feet his Atman became purer and the feeling of renunciation rose and got strengthened in his heart. After this he felt that his spritual salvation lay only in accepting consecration, and for this he besought Lord Shreyansa Nathaji who, thinking him to be a fit man, consecrated him. After his consecration the sage Achala began to practise severe penances, as a consequence of which he annihilated the eight kinds of his Karmans and attained Moksha at the end of his life. One of the two children of the same father fell into Hell while the other secured Liberation; and this was all due to the maturing up of their individual Karmans.
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