________________
King Pratinandi's Awakening
483
rities and became deeply absorbed in the endeavours to attain self-realization. He began acquiring scriptural knowledge with an incisive intellect. As the mists covering his mind disappeared it began to shine out in all its original splendour. His awakened mind assisted him in his endeavour to attain enlightenment. After having stayed at the feet of his spiritual head for sixty years, he acquired an extraordinary enlightenment.
By means of the pursuit of knowledge, he attained extraordinary spiritual powers. He became totally free from all external impediments, fears, obstacles and agonies.
By fasting for a long time, he attained a victory over hunger and thirst. Walking in the scorching sun, he developed the power of putting up with bodily discomforts. He disciplined his body by carrying out Tapas in biting cold. Walking about in wild areas alone, he lost all fear of wild beasts. In order to carry out lofty spiritual endeavours the body has to be disciplined thus.
Once, Shri Ramchandra sat near his spiritual head; and said :
. "Oh you treasure-house of compassion! If you permit me, I wish to carry out spiritual endeavours alone, in solitude in some mountains or caves away from the din and disturbances of this dreary world”.
"Oh! You sublime Man! You possess that ability. You may do so." He bestowed his blessings upon him. Shri Ramchandra, having thus obtained the consent of his Gurudev; and having sought the forgiveness of the other Munis set off towards wild forests and mountains with the determination of carrying out extraordinary spiritual endeavours".
A wild and dreadful forest! The area was thorny, flinty and stony. Shri Ramachandra kept fearlessly walking in that area. He kept wandering thus with the only aim of attaining spiritual perfection. He had no other desires; no other ambitions and no other aspirations. After travelling a long distance, he reached a valley among high mountains. He went into a cave; and stood on a clean stone.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
