________________
440 ]
[King Alakha renounces the world
made a little embankment and stopped the water with it. When enough of water had collected there, he began to float his jar in it. By chance, other hermits saw him doing this. They went to the Lord and blamed him for consecrating little children. Then the Lord said to them very mildly, "It is not only the Child-Hermit, who does not understand the principles of religion. Asceticism has no connection with age, nor was it ever meant to have any. Its importance lies in its being observed; that is all." The Lord cast a glance over Evanta-Kumara and continued, "This Child- Hermit was floating his jar in that water with this thought in his mind that he would soon try his best to carry his soul across the deep ocean of this world in a like manner." The hermits were verey much pleased to hear this suggestive interpretation. They began to praise the good fortune of the ChildHermit, and promised to follow the same course (viz. of crossing the ocean of life) as he was following. The childhermit, too, applied himself heart and soul to moulding his life according to the instructions of the Lord.
KING ALAKHA OF VARANASI RENOUNCES THE WORLD.
One day Lord Mahavira reached Varanasi which was at that time under the rule of King Alakha. King Alakha heard the news of the Lord's arrival and went to listen to his religious precepts. The instruction of the Lord electrified his heart only in one day. He began to realize the unsubstantiality of the world. At last he came home, sent, for his eldest son, and placed the burden of the whole kingdom upon his shoulders that very day. Then he came to the Lord and offered himself for consecration. The Lord consecrated him
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
