Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 163

The deep thinking made Sth labhadra despise all the worldly pleasures, the mundane affairs and bondages. The understanding of this reality changed the direction of the life of Sth labhadra. He thought to himself, "The post of a Prime Minister is undoubtedly a high position, but this is ultimately slavery, servility and dependence. A bonded person cannot experience happiness even in his dreams. A slave will never get even a moment to think of his own pain or pleasure, as he will always be completely engrossed in the thoughts of his service to the king, kingdom and the people. In spite of mentally and physically serving the king and his kingdom, with dedication and without sparing any pains, yet there is constant fear of confiscation and of death. At the expense of so much energy, what you get in return is equal to a cipher. Therefore, the wise instead of wasting their energy just for the benefit of the king, should make good use of it for the beneficiation and purification of one's soul.
Thinking so, Sth labhadra soon came to a decision. He made up his mind to relinquish all the empty pleasures of the world and work towards strengthening his own soul. Immediately he plucked out five handfuls of hair from his head, made a whiskbroom from the threads of his bejeweled blanket and in the robes of a monk, went to the court and stood in front of King Nanda and said, "O King! After deep thought, I have decided that it is not the position of the Prime Minister which increases worldly delusions that I need, instead, what I need is a harmless straw mat for renunciation. I want to practice detachment and not attachment."
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After conveying the above, Sth labhadra headed out of the king's palace. The entire royal council including King Nanda was stunned at the unexpected decision of Sth labhadra.
Initiation of Sth labhadra
Sth labhadra instantaneously forsook the palatial mansion, the divinely beautiful Ko and all the opulence, just like how a snake sheds off its skin. He dissociated himself from the body, wealth and kinsmen and with total inclination towards renunciation, reached the outskirts of the city, where rya Sambh tavijaya was seated, bowed to him with respect and took refuge at his feet and in V.N. 146, he took the rama a initiation.
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