Dravyasamgraha

Author(s): Nemichandra Acharya, Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp

Page 13

sense-gratification. One day he discovered a white hair in his head and taking it to be the messenger and herald of old age, immediately decided to become a Digambara Muni. Because of the effect of his growing renunciation over the years, he destroyed his inimical karmas within an antaramuhurta (less than forty-eight minutes) and attained Omniscience. He too attained to the Supreme Purity, nirvāṇa, at the end of his worldly life. I make obeisance humble at the Holy Feet of Lord Bahubali and Lord Bharata, both worthy Sons of Lord Rishabha Deva.
In the same spirit as shown by the ninety-nine brothers of Emperor Bharata, Surendra Upadhye (born 22 April, 1925, in Shedbal, Karnataka), at the young age of twenty, embarked on the virtuous path of Jaina asceticism by embracing the eleventh and the last stage in the householder's path called the uddista tyāga pratimā and became a kşullaka on 15 April, 1945, to be known henceforth as Kșullaka Shri Parshvakirti Varņī. He was inducted on to this pious course by Parama Pūjya Acārya 108 Shri Mahavirkirti ji Mahārāja in Tamadaddi, Karnataka. Akşullaka renounces all that the world calls its own and like a Digambara Muni, keeps only a small whisk of the softest peacock feathers with which to remove insects from the person and books without causing them injury, a small bowl for water, and a few books on religion. The kşullaka wears a loincloth (langoți) and a wrapper cloth. As regards food, a kşullaka eats only once a day in the morning hours. He sits down while eating and eats only what he gets from one household without asking or beckoning for food. While calling for food he only wishes the inmates dharma-lābha (may you obtain spiritual merit).
Kșullaka Shri Parshvakirti Varņī realized early that the soul, from the standpoint of its substance, is eternal, and only its form, in terms of the body or encasement that it is associated with, is subject to change. The ultimate destination of all bhavya souls (having potential for liberation) is the supreme and everlasting state of knowledge, faith, bliss and power. Who in his senses would opt for this short life as a human being to be withered away in just acquiring, and then indulging in, the objects of sense-pleasures? A man well-versed in the knowledge of the Scriptures is aware that the ultimate goal of liberation is far away in time and the
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