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For King Ugrasen, the wedding of his beloved daughter was a once in a life time occasion. He made elaborate wedding arrangements. On the wedding day, a large number of people joined the gorgeous wedding ceremony. Nemkumär mounted his chariot, specially decorated for the wedding. When the procession was approaching their destination, he heard the sobbing sounds of animals. Moreover, on the side of the road, he saw large fenced areas and cages full of wailing animals and birds. Filled with sympathy and compassion, he asked the charioteer why those animals and birds were kept in bondage.
The charioteer informed him that the wailing sound was coming from the birds and animals that were to be slaughtered for the wedding dinner. Nemkumar could not bear the idea of violence being caused on the account of his wedding. He asked the charioteer to free all the animals and birds. He started
thinking about how to prevent such violence. 'Can there be a way of life that would extend peace and security to every living being?' he asked himself. As he thought deep into the matter, it was clear to him that he should explore a way for the well-being of all. He visualized that after marriage he might get too involved in worldly life. Then it would be hard for him to embark upon such an exploration. He realized that the present was the right time for him to explore the truth that would lead to the
happiness of every living being. All the animals and birds are released at Nemkumär's request Therefore, he decided not to get married.
Everyone on the bridegroom's side was taken aback by his decision. His friends and close relatives tried to dissuade him from his decision. He calmly explained that his mission was to explore freedom from misery for all living beings. He further explained that, “As these animals were prisoners in their cages, we all are prisoners in the cages of Karma which are much stronger than these fences. The feeling of joy is evident in the animals released from the cages. Happiness is in freedom, not in bondage. I want to find the path of breaking this bondage of Karma and embrace eternal bliss. Please do not stop me." Then he asked the charioteer to turn back.
After returning to his kingdom, Nemkumär spent one year donating all his belongings to the poor and the needy and then left his royal palace and went to the nearby Raivata garden. Under an Ashok tree, he took off all his ornaments and the royal dress, and pulled out five fistfuls of hair. He became an ascetic along with one thousand people. Shri Krishna, deeply touched by this incident, blessed his cousin and wished him success in his mission.
Monk Nemkumär went to mount Girnar. He stood motionless, intensely meditating, trying to find the cause of all unhappiness. He realized that ignorance of the true nature of the Self led to wrong perception, on the account of his wedding. He asked the charioteer to free all the animals and birds. He started thinking about how to prevent such violence. 'Can there be a way of life that would extend peace and security to every living being?' he asked himself. As he thought deep into the
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