Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 249

The moment the words fell onto his ears, the child because of the sacraments of his previous birth became aware of his former births. The newly born child contemplated in his heart, "Ah! My father is an epitome of virtuous deeds and hence he became an ascetic. I too, should take initiation and the vow of self-restraint as fast as possible which is the only way to safely cross the ocean of mundane existence. For achieving this end, I have to make sure that my mother does not develop possessiveness or attachment towards me and soon grieved by my behaviour, would willingly forsake me". He thought that incessant crying would yield fast results towards this direction, and so he started crying. His mother, her friends, relatives, skilled women, every one tried in many ways to console him and to stop him from crying, but in vain. He cried incessantly and Sunand was perturbed and felt helpless. She could not be at peace either in the morning or at night. She used to heave heavy sighs and say, "Son, you are so cute and attractive. Just a glance at you overwhelms my heart with love towards you, but your ceaseless crying gives me lot of pain and misery. It pierces and penetrates into my heart like a spear." Thus somehow she managed six months, which seemed like six long years. Incidentally, rya Simhagiri once again came to
Tumbavana.
At the time for seeking alms, rya Dhanagiri taking the permission of his teacher was ready to leave for the same. Listening to the chirping of the birds then, rya Simhagiri, who was a scholar in the science of Omens, foresaw everything and counselled him, "Son! Today whatever you receive in the alms, irrespective of whether it is endowed with life or not or is a combination of both, accept it without any second thoughts."
"Your wish is my command, Lord," thus saying rya Dhanagiri together with rya Samita went for seeking alms. While wandering, first he approached Sunand 's house. When the friends of Sunand saw rya Dhanagiri and rya Samita approach Sunand 's house for alms, they immediately went to Sunand and said, "Sunand ! Hand over your son to Dhanagiri."
Sunand was grieved by the continuous crying of her son. She, heeding the advice of her friends, lifted her son with both the hands, came to Dhanagiri, saluted him and said, "I am completely exhausted because of
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