Bhagwan Parshwanath

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 2

BHAGAWÄN PÄRSHVANÄTH
carefully. To everyone's surprise, a half-burnt snake came out of the burning piece of wood. Pärshvakumär recited the Namaskar-mantra for the benefit of the dying snake. The snake was so badly burnt that he soon died. After death, the snake was reborn as Dharanendra, the king of gods of the Nag kumärs (gods or angels that look like snakes) in heaven.
Instead of feeling remorse or pity for the snake, Kamath was very annoyed by the interference of Pärshvakumär but was powerless at that time. He resolved to seek revenge. Kamath began observing an even more severe penance and at the end of his life he was reborn in heaven as Meghamäli, the god of rain.
Observing the miseries that living beings had to experience in their worldly life, Pärshva-kumär developed a high degree of detachment towards worldly possessions and relationships. At the age of 30, he renounced all his possessions and his family and became a monk. Later on, he was known as Pärshvanath. He spent most of his time meditating in search of the ultimate truth. Once, while he was in meditation. Meghamäli saw him from heaven. He recalled how Pärshva-kumär had interfered in his ritual and penance in an earlier life and saw his chance for revenge.
Using his supernatural powers, he brought forth all kinds of fierce and harmful animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, and snakes to attack monk Pärshvanath. However Pärshvanath, immersed in deep meditation, remained peaceful and untouched. Then Meghamäli tried a new tactic and brought forth heavy rains. The rainwater touched the feet of Pärshvanäth and started accumulating. The water rose up to his knees, then to his waist, and in no time it reached his neck.
Dharanendra noticed that Pärshvanath, his benefactor was going to drown in the rising floodwater. Immediately Dharanendra descended and placed a quick growing lotus flower below Pärshvanath's feet so that he could float on the water. Then he spread his fangs over the head and sides of Pärshvanath in order to protect him from the pouring rain. Dharanendra then severely reprimanded Meghamäli for his wretched act and asked him to stop the rain. All of Meghamäli's efforts to harass Pärshvanath were in vain. He was disappointed and realized that he was unnecessarily creating trouble for the graceful, merciful Lord. He withdrew all his supernatural powers and fell at Pärshvanath's feet with a sense of deep remorse. He
Meghamäli causing distress to Bhagawan Parshvanath
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