Jain Legend Vol 1

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 84

immense pain of this world the feeling of disenchantment towards the world does not arise in an ordinary person. In this state, why and in what way did a feeling of disenchantment for the world arise in you?
c rya r replied that for an intelligent and knowledgeable thinker, at every step in this world, he sees reasons that cause disinclination, but blinded by passion, desire and attachment a human being denies the obvious and continues to live on. A person with knowledge finds reasons, both self-experienced and experienced by others, to immediately become disinterested in the world.
After ascending my royal throne I decided to win over all directions and started on a victory campaign with my four-fold army. In course of that journey I saw a garden as beautiful as Nandana-vana. With its tanks, wells, and streams and canopy of creepers, that garden seemed like heaven. I was enchanted by the beautiful sight of that garden. After resting with my warriors and army generals in that garden I resumed my victory campaign.
In victory-journey I established my rule over many countries but I could never spot that same kind of garden pleasing to the eye again. After my victory campaign when I was returning to capital city I found that garden completely destroyed and disfigured. Mere stumps in the place of thick, magnificent flower and fruit-laden trees there seemed as fearsome as ghosts. Seeing this, my mind and heart were deeply wounded. I began to feel that the entire visible world was momentary and I thought every person in this world has to face this state sooner or later.
After this, I began to tremble and became agitated with the kind of thought that came to my mind. I thought I am a worldly human being crushed in the quern of birth and death since time immemorial, and I too, shall have to face this destiny soon. If I do not take care I shall keep wandering in this endless ocean. I began to see this world as a burning furnace. At that very moment, leaving everything, I took initiation into the rama a tradition and since then am following the happinessbestowing major vows.
Hearing that discourse of c rya Aridamana, king Vimalav hana bequeathed the royal throne to his son and became a mendicant. After becoming a monk Vimalav hana, while serving the monk, studied the
84