Essence of Jainism Part 01

Author(s): Kushalchandravijay
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

Page 32

persuaded by them. He whiled away his time in wandering, in idle talk or in viewing games. He did not mind remaining hungry or thirsty, while with freinds and that they were therefore, very unhappy and expressed anixiety at their child's spiritual degradation in this world as well as for the next world. They requested the monk to give some advice to their child so that his life might improve and he might be happy in this world as well as in the next world to follow. The full story runs as under:
There lived a merchant named Shripat with his wife Sundri in the city of Shripur. They had a naughty son Kamalsen by name. The parents complained to Shri Shilandar Acharya against their son. Acharya agreed to give a few words of advice to the boy the next day. On reaching home the merchant said to his son "Well, my son, a great teacher-Acharya, has arrived in our town. He is very learned and his lectures are worth hearing. The parents took their son Kamalsen to the Acharya the next day. After bowing down to the Acharya, they heard his discoures. The Acharya dwelt on the pains of birth and death and old age and it's infirmity. He talked of merits (Punya) and demerits (Pap or sin). He also talked of miseries of birds and beasts and those of the hell beings. He gave a lucid exposition of four-fold religion consisting of charity, good conduct, penance and pure mental condition (Bhava). He also stressed the importance of idol-worship and devotion to God and added that these alone would bring real peace of mind and happiness to human beings.
After the discourse was over, the Acharya asked Kamalsen how he liked it; but the boy said that he was absorded in noticing the movements of the Adams apple in the throat of the Acharya. Greatly ashamed at this rudeness of the boy the parents returned home disappointed.
After some days another Acharya Shri Gunasagarsuri visited Shripur. He was a great exponent of religion and a very great orator. The merchant took his son to this Acahrya informing him beforehand about his son's waywordness. Acharya Maharaj began to tell him erotic stories containing all the nine rasas. As such stories attract worldly minded people. The boy began to visit the Acharya everyday and listened to the stories with interest.
After a few weeks, the Acharya left the town. The people gave him a send off. Kamalsen also joined in. Many pledged to observe some vows in their life. When kamalsen was asked if he wanted to
11