Jain Ramayana Part 2

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 49

Kirthidhar, The Saintly King
37
After her husband became a mendicant, Queen Sahadevi had to face two serious problems. The boy Sukoshal had to be educated; and the kingdom had to be administered properly. Queen Sahadevi began to carry out these duties with a dedicated mind.
The Muni Kirthidhar entered the realm of Charitra and began to live in the company of his spiritual head. He was completely absorbed in the adoration of Dharma. He used to wake up in the Brahma Muhurt and meditate upon the Panchaparameshti. He used to study the scriptures with absolute concentration. He carried out Pratikraman and Pratilekhan with great spiritual awareness. He rendered service to the Gurudev and his fellow mendicants with devotion. He engaged himself in studying the scriptures in the company of other Sadhus and saints. At the time of the Madhukari i.e., of obtaining food, he went through the streets of the village, town or city; collected Bhiksha; which was necessary for existence; and entreated the other Sadhus to take a little of what he had collected. After that, with the permission of the Gurudev, he ate food, without caring for taste. Apart from this, he engaged himself in Vihar (travelling on foot) and then he became absorbed in scriptural studies.
In the same manner, gradually in his mind, there arose the desire to carry out spiritual austerities of greater and greater severity. Sometimes, during the winter season, when the winds blew cold, he discarded his clothes and spent long hours in deep meditation. Sometimes, he stood in the cold weather beneath a tree outside the upashray. With the purpose of conquering fear, he took the permission of his Gurudev, he went out of the town and carried out meditation in such lonely places as cemeteries. Poisonous snakes and other venomous creatures bit him, yet he carried out his meditation unshaken by those impediments. Sometimes, on some dark nights he used to carry out meditation in lonely and desolate burial grounds. Ghosts, spirits and other supernatural beings could not terrify him.
His Gurudev was supremely pleased with his spiritual austerities, his endeavours and his devoted pursuit of the path of