Jain Journal 1977 07

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

Page 22

JAIN JOURNAL
Virtue outspoken Recalled the monk to his Full Vows unbroken. He withdrew to solitude And moral meditation he renewed. After long years in spiritual evolution The monk Rathanemi took Illumination. The nun, as good as she was beautiful, To her Full Vows held ever dutiful. After Girnar-cave penance, on Self intent, The nun Rajimati took Enlightenment. In identity nevermore an abandoned bride Now she was Self within Self, with Self satisfied. Truly, the dear Rajimati lives on in tradition To inspire women to shun the embrace of transmigration And to join the infinite number of women's souls Forever liberated from their body roles.
-In truth, the Lord Nemi never viewed Women devotees knee-bent in permanent servitude, Rather, like unto sesame oil lamps in a cave He saw all pure souls equal in the lights they gave. As well in the term of the Lord Nemi, Below Mt. Girnar in Junagarh-city Lived Somasarma, Siva's royal priest Who invited Brahmanas to his house feast. His wife Agnila was a loyal Jain, In her own right she gave food to entertain Jaina Muni Jnanasagara, breaking two months' fast. The Brahmanas withdrew their shadows aghast And Somasarma, in a tantrum of bigotry, Raised his fist to do his wife injury. Agnila called her two sons to Girnar mountain Where all three took a diet fruitarian, Nature's food of harmony, Till fire consumed Junagarh-city! Only Agnilas's house was spared, Jaina island of shelter that the towns people shared
People who had averted their eyes from her betrayal Now suffered their own homes lost, in karmic reprisal. Even Somasarma admitted his wife's reward, Uphill he pursued her, but she stood guard Against the outflowing existence of a wife, For now she was immersed in the inner life,