Jain Stories

Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 9

Conqueror of Lust Monk Sthulibhadraji
[9] MONK STHULIBHADRAJI
(Conquer of Lust)
(1) Sthulibhadra was offered ministerial ring by King Nand to become a Minister, though he stayed for 12 years with a prostitute named Kosha. He said, "I will think over and take it." "Think here only!" said the King. (2) Sthulibhadra thought, being a minister would mean entangled in worldly bondages and therefore decided to decline the offer and renounced the world to become a monk. (3) Conveying Dharmalabh (blessings of Jain monk) Sthulibhadra left. The King tested Monk Sthulibhadra. But the king was astonished to see the detachment. Sthulibhadra ceremoniously took Diksha from Guru Arya Sambhuti.(4) He studied 14 Purvas under the guidance of Bhadrabahu Swami. With Guru's permission, he decided to go and stay for four months of monsoon (Chaturmas) to the palace of the prostitute Kosha to conquer lust. The prostitute lured him with sensual music, dance and food, but she was ultimately dejected. (5) Seeing the determination of penance, the prostitute heard his sermon and decided to undertake 12 Vratas (oaths) of Shravika (woman follower of Jain religion). (6). One Monk fasted (without food and water) for 4 months of the monsoon at the mouth of a den of a ferocious lion. (7) One Monk fasted 4 months of the monsoon outside the hole of a vicious and poisonous snake. (8) One Monk fasted for 4 months of the monsoon on the edge of the well. (9) When all these 4 monks came back after their four months rigorous religious activity, the Guru greeted the three monks calling their work Dushkar karak (performers of difficult tasks) and monk Sthulibhadra as Dushkar Dushkar karak. (performer of the most difficult tasks). Infinite salutes to the monk Sthulibhadra whose name would remain immortal for 84 Chovisi (1 Chovisi = era of 24 Tirthankars-Gods).
Inspired By: Jain Acharya Shri Bhuvanbhanusuriswarji Maharajsaleb