Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 98

Initiation of 528 individuals with Jamb Kum ra
As dawn set in, the news of Jamb Kum ra renouncing all his riches equal to that of Kubera, along with his parents, eight wives, in-laws and also joined by the notorious robber Prabhava and his band of 500 robbers (2+8+16+1+500 = 527) for taking initiation, spread in the entire R jag ha like wildfire. Eager to see the grandeur of initiation into monkhood, throngs of men and women hastily finished their morning chores and wore the best of clothes and ornaments.
In the midst of melodious sound of various musical instruments, Jamb Kum ra together with his parents climbed into the palanquin which was to be borne by 1000 men. With the triumphed cheers and melodious music the renunciation journey started. The crowd that had witnessed the marriage procession just a day before, assembled everywhere on the streets to watch the ascetic journey of Jamb Kum ra. Just as the dark clouds of r va a and Bh do pour down the showers, similarly Jamb Kum ra poured down the showers of precious stones and gold continuously. He donated most of his wealth for the welfare of the people and discarded the movable and immovable property in the same way as the snakes shed-off their skin.
Even the king of Magadha, K ika, along with his four-fold army and courtiers came to witness the renunciation ceremony of Jamb Kum ra. At the same time Prabhava arrived with his companions. The king K ika asked Jamb Kum ra whether he could be of any service to him. Jamb Kum ra said, “Oh! King! Please pardon whatever grave mistakes Prabhava committed in the past. Last night he came to rob our house. Today he is accompanying me to take up the path of restraint". The king replied, "I forgive all his mistakes. He can take the initiation without any interruption."
The procession of Jamb Kum ra moving through all the main streets of R jag ha, reached the garden at the outskirts where Sudharm Sw m camped with his entourage of disciples. After completion of all the rituals that have to be carried out prior to the initiation into asceticism, Sudharm Swm according to the rules laid down in the scriptures of Jain Dharma, initiated Jamb Kum ra, his parents, the eight wives, their parents, Prabhava and his 500 companions. Thus Jamb Kum ra giving up 990 million gold coins and his eight precious wives became an ascetic
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