Comtemporary Jain Legends

Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram

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secure absolute good of my soul" and hearing this, the son, Chothmalji replied, "I appreciate your desire, but I also want to follow you by adopting Dixa". Saying this, Chothmalji requested his mother to grant her consent for the same the mother said, "my son, you are newly married and you must be with your family for some years. You can have Dixa only when you are of appropriate age." Chothmalji replied, "mother, this body is not for enjoying worldly pleasures. It is for penance and restraint. I am determined to adopt Dixa". Seeing her son's strong feelings for Dixa, the mother granted her constant but asked him to obtain consent of his wife Mankunvar also. Chothmalji approached his wife to obtain her consent for Dixa but she did not agree saying that "neither I shall take Dixa, nor shall I allow you to adopt that path". The father-in-law of Chothmalji also was much worried for his daughter and he persuaded Chothmalji no to adopt Dixa. In addition to this, many other relatives, elders and friends tried to persuade Chothmalji not to adopt Dixa, but none could succeed. Replying all of them, Chothmalji said, "Religion cannot be followed in family-life so easily and conveniently as it can be followed after adopting Dixa". Many other relatives further, pressed him upon for turning him back for his determination of adopting Dixa, but he was not moved even a little because he had very well understood the worthlessness of worldly pleasures. In those days Jain saints were not granting Dixa to any one without the consent of his relatives and the Jain Sangh also did not approve such Dixa. The mother and son, therefore, could not adopt Dixa immediately. Chothmalji, however, was eager to have Dixa and seeing this the mother said that if he is ready to accept in a simple and silent way, it can be expedited but if he wanted to adopt Dixa with pomp and celebrations, he would have to wait. Chothmalji accepted to receive Dixa in a simple way and hence he became a disciple of Kavi Varya Hiralalji Maharaj on Sunday in 1896. After two months of Chothmalji's Dixa, his mother Kesarbai also adopted Dixa at the hands of Mahasati Shri Fudiji. Thus, the brave son and brave mother began to seek salvation of their souls.
Travelling in Search of Salvation:
Chothmalji Maharaj who had newly adopted Dixa passed his first monsoon at Neemuch Cantt. He studied the Sootras of Dash Vaikalik and Aupapatik here during these days. He went on studying many other scriptures while moving from place to place.
Death of Mother Kesarkunvarbai and Mankunvarbai:
During the monsoon of 1906 at Ratlam, the Kesarkunvarbai was not keeping well. She, therefore, adopted fast unto death-Santharo and died just on the next day.
While Chothmalji was moving from places to places, his teacher asked ho to go to his native place at Pratapgadh and preach his wife of worldly life Shrimati Mankunvarbai. Chothmalji had no attachment for worldly pleasures but he was afraid of being drawn back to family life by his father-in-law and others because of family feeling. Even then, he obeyed the directions of his teacher and went to Pratapgadh. His preaching lecture was fixed in the bazaar. His former wife Mankunvarbai and fatherin-law come to know about the arrival of Chothmalji. The father-in-law, however, did not come to hear his preaching but Mankunvarbai had come. She tried to take back Chothmalji to family life and in her further efforts she went to Mandsau, Jaora, and other places. She insisted for seeing Chothmalji at least one and assured that she will do what he liked afterwards. Her desire was accepted and Chothmalji called her in the presence of four-six nuns and some mendicants. She came and asked, "you have adopted celibacy and restrained life of Dixa, now what should I do? How should I pass my life? Whose shelter should I seek?" Chothmalji replied with serious voice, "You and I had worldly relations in many lives but there was no religious-relation between us. Religion is the only true support to live. If you want to accept my say, you also seek shelter of religion and become nunadopting Dixa. This is the best way for you". The words of a true saints are always much effective. Mankunvarbai was also moved. She requested for Dixa and she became nun in 1911-the day is
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