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laypeople. His heart went out to them all and he rededicated his life to them.
He meditated on the story of Neminatha, the twentysecond Tirthankara, who had had the courage to call a halt to his own marriage procession when he learned of the plans for his marriage feast. Upon seeing many different animals tied up and in cages along the side of the road, Prince Nemi asked the charioteer, "What are all these animals doing here?"
The charioteer answered, "Don't you know? They are for your wedding feast."
The Prince Nemi was shocked and dismayed. "In order for me to marry, so many lives have to be lost? No, better not to marry than to do so at the cost of so many helpless innocent lives."
He ordered the charioteer to rum around. His bride-to-be Rajul who was watching from above, on a balcony, did not understand. When she heard of his change of heart, she went to him and asked, "You are kind to animals but you are not kind to me?"
Gently Prince Nemi encouraged her to stretch her vision and see through the eyes of understanding.
"Where is our kingdom, dear? Is it the ever-changing world of things, where everything comes and goes, where people fight and grab and exploit? Can we not have that kingdom which is permanent? Come with me into the homeless life. Renounce palace and possessions, and seek the truth of your own life. We will meditate together and help one another to grow."
Rajul followed him and became his disciple. The story was beautifully depicted in white marble, carved upon the columns, walls, and ceilings of the sacred Delwara temples, in which Gurudev took darsan and meditated many hours. He was inspired by the purity of Neminatha's love and compassion.
Am I experiencing genuine compassion for those who are in pain and for those who in causing pain are inviting their own pain as well? Do I feel for those who are impoverished in heart and in body? Can I put myself in the place of all suffering living beings?
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