________________
33
Rāma attains salvation
Rama's renounciation
Now, Rāma too realized the transitive and unpredictable nature of the world. He decided to become an ascetic. He wanted to coronate his youngest brother Satrughna as the emperor of Ayodhya. But Satrughna said, "I am not interested in power and recognition. Pray, do not impose the burden of the crown on me. I want to take the ascetic vows with you, so that both of us can walk on the path of salvation together." Rama then coronated his grandson, the son of Lava, Anangadeva, as the emperor of Ayodhya. He then went to a descendant of the Tirthankara Munisuvrata Svāmi named Suvrata muni. Rāma, Satrughna, Sugriva, Bibhişana and other sixteen thousand rulers gave up their comfortable life and took the vows of initiation. Along with them, thirty seven thousand women from noble families accepted the vows on this solemn occasion and stayed in the company of a nun named Srimati.
in an international
107
When a noble soul renounces the world and walks on the path of renounciation, thousands of others become eager to follow him. At the noble feet of his teacher and mentor Suvrata Svāmi, Rāma studied the Purvängaśruta and practiced austerities. After performing many penances, Rama, who was now called Ramarși, obtained a permission from his mentor and left for a deep forest. He made the jungle his abode and stayed there without a trace of fear and anxiety. Rāma muni obtained the Avadhigyana during his sojourn in the forest.
Once, Ramarşi entered a city in order to end his two day fast which is called chattha in religious terminology. When the citizen heard the news of Rāmarṣi's arrival, they were overjoyed. The men rushed to receive him at the gates. The women awaited his arrivals with eatables of various delicacies. There was a great commotion in the city. It scared some of the captive elephants. They broke their iron chains and ran amuck. Ramarşi did not accept food from any one. He had decided to end his fast with ujjhitaāhāra. The edibles which a man does not either desire to consume himself or keep at home is called ujjhitaähära. He straightaway
For Persol & Private Use Only
