Jain Legend Vol 2

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

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gave away money and other objects to their kith and kin, friends, and dependents and to the handicapped.
At nightfall, Jamb Kum ra entered into the beautifully decorated bedroom with all his eight brides. In the centre of his spacious room there were nine artistic chairs closely arramged in a circle. Jamb Kum ra sat in the centre and in a soft gentle tone asked them to take their places. Being the first meeting with their consort, smiling sweetly and with innumerable yearnings mounting in their hearts, hesitating, and feeling somewhat shy, the eight brides sat on either side of their husband.
Inspiring the wives
The environment, though, extremely charming, sweet and intoxicating, failed to stir the soul of Jamb Kum ra. He sat like a lotus in water, unperturbed, completely detached, indifferent, and free from all the sins and was detached.
Breaking the silence, Jamb Kum ra addressing his wives said, “Oh! Pious souls! You know that tomorrow at dawn I will renounce the world and accept the path of liberation. You may wonder why in prime youth, when one is expected to enjoy all worldly pleasures, I decided to walk on a path devoid of all comforts, relinquishing the affluent life. In order that within short time you can understand the correctness of my decision. First of all I want to make it clear that a person who is inclined towards the familial sensual pleasures will find happiness in them only as long as his heart is wrapped in ignorance, because of the unawareness of fundamental principles. As soon as he understands the tenets of living beings and non living beings (I va-Aj va) etc., the ignorance that pervaded the heart vanishes; he becomes a knower of truth and his consciousness arouses. At that moment there is no place for sensual pleasure and wrong direction.
By the grace of Sudharm Sw m, I have obtained knowledge of fundamental principles. Hence I look upon sensual and all worldly pleasures as hazardous as poison and so worthy of renunciation.
In reality, all these pleasures are transitory. The happiness one derives from these is not only momentary but also causes infinite sorrow, grief,
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