Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 258

Rukmi , the daughter of a distinguished wealthy merchant called Dhana of P al putra heard much in praise of rya Vajra from the female monks who stayed in their wagon shed. As soon as she saw the blissful face of
rya Vajra glowing extraordinarily due to the Strict observance of celibacy and listened to his soft and sweet words as if dipped in nectar, while delivering the sermons, Rukmi got attracted towards him. She took a pledge, "If rya Vajra marries me I will stay bound to the world, or else I will renounce the comforts, luxuries and the world. She sent the message to her father through a friend, that she chose rya Vajra as her husband, and hence if she fails to marry him she would jump into the pyre and sacrifice her life.
The father was very well acquainted with her terrible oaths and stubbornness. So he felt worried and anxious when he came to know about her resolution. After reflecting for a long time, he with innumerable precious stones, and accompanied by her charming daughter went to the garden where rya Vajra stayed with his disciples. The merchant Dhana after paying homage requested rya Vajra, "O Best of
c ryas! My daughter, the most beautiful, embellished with all virtues is drawn to you by your virtues and versatility and wants to be your wife. I have a wealth of thousand million silver coins. I want to hand over my daughter together with the entire money to you. You can enjoy comforts and luxuries of life with that money, besides using it to help others. Kindly marry my daughter."
c rya Vajra with his habitual composure said in a peaceful tone, “Sir! You are very gentle and soft-natured. As such you already are bound by the worldly ties and now want to bind others too. You are unaware of the spiritual bliss and joy one gets by following the path of temperance. No doubt it is a path full of thorns, yet the unique happiness a true wanderer enjoys through self-restraint and knowledge is unparallel when compared to the momentary material happiness, which is insignificant, contemptible and a mirage. The ineffable spiritual bliss one attains through temperance is infinite times more precious than the most precious treasury of gems. You want to compare the incomparable happiness of self-restraint which is equal to a wish-fulfilling tree (kalpav k a) with the detestable sensual pleasures which are worthless, equivalent to a blade of grass. O Gentleman! I am a monk who does not possess anything or attached to anything. I do not have any desire
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