Jain Journal 1968 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 31

JULY, 1968
Vasudeva Krsna and others addressed the newly-become monk thus :
“Oh the Master of Dama (restraint), attain soon thy heart's desire. Enrich thyself by knowledge, faith and conduct, penance, peace and liberation."
The formal renunciation of Nemi along with thousand others took place on the sixth day of the bright half of the month of Sravana (again a monsoon month) during the forenoon.
Krsna and the leading men of his clan graced the occasion, paid their respect to the new recluse and then returned to Dvaraka.
Needless to add, after this event, Rajimati too could not accept another for her husband and renounced the world to court the life of a nun.
From the day of his initiation into monkhood, for the next fiftyfour days, he passed in the chadmastha-state, a state preceding the attainment of the knowledge absolute. Fully devoid of attachment to the mortal frame and perfectly unconcerned about it, he attained the absolute knowledge under Betasa tree on the fiftyfifth day on the peak called Ujjhita in the late hours of the night of dark moon in the month of Asvina. Henceforth he became an Arhat, a Jina, a Kevali, Sarvajña and Sarvadarši, all-knowing and all-seeing.
He moved out enlightened to show the world the way of liberation. The first monk-disciple he took was Varadatta and the first nun-disciple was Arya Yaksini.
Arhat Aristanemi had on many occasions visited Dyaraka. During one such visit when he was stationed in the Nandana-vana, he initiated Prince Gautama, the son of Andhaka. Vrsni, into monkhood. There is record to indicate that some other sons of Andhaka Vrsni too followed their brother on this occasion and a few others at a later date. During another visit he initited into monkhood several of the progeny of Naga Gathapati and Sulasa of Bhaddilapura. Such initiations were repeated during each visit in other parks of the city, notably Sri-vana and Sahasramra-vana.
According to the Scriptures, Aristanemi lived a full life before he left this earthly abode to enter the domain of the Liberated Souls. During this long span he influenced many and put many more on the right track.