Essence of Jainism Part 02

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

Page 90

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welcomed the latter by bowing down uttering "Mathen Vandami". Aimutta's mother introduced the great muni exclaiming in joy, "My son, he is a learned Ganadhar of Lord Mahavir. We are blessed when he visited us today. Please offer sweet balls in Gochari," There after the boy went along with the Ganadhar. While on the way, listened to with in that what was preached. Out of respect, Aimutta asked Gautamswami to give him his bag to carry it for him, but he was told that it could be given only to one who accepted monkhood. Thereupon, the boy expressed his desire to be a monk He was told that he could be a monk only if he would get permission from his mother. On hearing the boy's request, his mother persuaded him saying that "my child, you are too young to understand the code of conduct of a monk and too tender to perform the austerities that they practice".
Aimutta insisted on getting initiated (Diksha), saying that naturally this cannot be known by him before hand, and that how does she presume that after initiation he will not be able to face the hardships ? He further told his mother that he knew two things : (1) Whowever is born, is sure to die; (2) No one knows when and how he will meet his end. Though only a child, Aimutta explained to his mother that when life is transient it is not wise to delay. His mother could not persuade him to change his mind.
The boy was then seated on the royal throne for one day and thereafter allowed to take initiation before the Lord. He was entrusted to a Sthvir (old monk) for training. Soon, he began to acquire knowledge on religion.
Once Aimutta went with the old sadhu to ease himself. Aimutta, while returning, was standing on the bank of a lake. He saw children playing near the side of the lake. Being only a child he was tempted to play. He sent a wooden pot that was carried by him afloat on water, asking others to behold how nicely it was moving along. When the accompanying monk came back, he chided the boy that he was now a monk bound by a vow not to kill six kinds of living organisms and was found indulging in a sport, killing water beings.
Stricken by a sense of guilt, child Muni went to Lord Mahavir to atone for what he had done. He started saying Iriavahi Sutra, with tears in his eyes. As he uttered "Payak Kamane", "Biyak Kamane", gripped by an intense desire for forgiveness for torturing or killing in 18, 24, 20 ways living beings residing in 14 Rajloks, he
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