Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 232

knowledge and preaching filled with detachment, the faithful devotees venerated him with clothes etc. Everyday they would offer him delicious foods like milk, curd, ghee, jaggery etc. Soon c rya developed delusion and immersed in comforts and pleasures, settled in Mathura itself. The other monks proceeded further leaving him behind.
Unhealthy tendencies are ever ready like a temptress looking for a susceptible moment. At the slightest vulnerability in one's self-restraint, it sneaks in and exerts its power, immediately.
As he settled at one place, all his penance, self-restraint and spiritual endeavours had come to a standstill. The treasure of his character diminished and his attachment towards riches, taste, pleasure and honour increased. With the devotees offering appetising food and providing loving services, he deserted the extensive wandering and started living there like a lazy person. In the end, he died without even repenting about his culpable conduct and without abandoning his careless attitude. Since he violated the principles of ascetic life, he was born in a demigod (Yak a) family. With his cognition, when he became aware of his previous birth, he started repenting, “Alas! In spite of possessing a great treasure like Jain religion, which is attained by virtues of previous birth, and which is capable of destroying miseries forever, because of my foolishness, I wasted my life. It is fittingly said, 'Even an expert in the fourteen P rvas, can, by negligence of his principles be born into 'Anantkaya' (a body containing countless living beings). So saying, he used to repent sincerely for the mistakes of his past life.
Once he saw the disciples of his previous birth. Taking out his long tongue and in a strange appearance he stood in their way in order to teach them. Looking at the Yak a, a righteous disciple said, "O Divine one!, Whether you are a deity, a demigod or someone else, please reveal yourself and speak; if not, we are not at all able to understand any of your intention".
The Yak a sadly said, “O monks! I am your very same teacher, rya Mamgu”.
The monks also felt sorry and replied, “Lord! How did you get into this unfortunate situation?”
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