________________
144
JAIN RAMAYAN
friends. He lost his status and prestige. But how long did the pleasure of meat-eating last? It gave pleasure only as long as it was in his mouth. He did not experience its sweetness after swallowing it.
His experiences showed that the Mahamuni's words were true and so he became greatly fascinated by his utterances. He became spell-bound and kept listening to the great muni.
"Noble man! Violence increases hostility. You will develop hostility against other jivas. In consequence, the man who commits violence will himself become a victim of violence”.
"Gurudev! What you say is true! My own experience illustrates the truth of your words.”
“Not only that; the hearts of those who commit violence become cruel, with the result that they do not hesitate to commit sins. They do not think that their actions are sinful; and they do not also think thus: “What will happen in my next life ?" The name of the Paramatma is forgotten by them. When that is so, where is the question of their acting according to the commands of the Paramatma ? Just as people keep off violent animals, they keep off violent men also. In consequence, a man of violence, has to keep wandering from door to door. In this manner, filled with despair the jiva has to keep wandering through the eighty four forms of life".
Hearing the sublime words of the Gurudev, Sodas was deeply moved. He got up and with abounding faith and devotion he fell at the feet of the great muni.
"Oh Lord, kindly elevate me and enlighten me....I am a terrible sinner. I am Sodas who flouted the noble cultural traditions that had been in existence from the time of Bhagwan Rishabhdev; I brought disgrace upon the Ikshvaku line by my ignoble actions and I am the despicable mortal who was the king of Ayodhya once.... I am now a cannibal. ...a frightful monster. I have committed terrible sins”.
As he said this, his voice became choked with emotion and the tears flowed from his eyes.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
