Jain Story Book

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 20

Tirtha and became 22nd Tirthankar of the present Avasarpini. Thereafter He lived long enough to teach the path of liberation.
At the time Neminäth decided to renounce, Ugrasen and others were busy making preparations for the wedding. Rajul was being adorned by her girl friends. They were cracking jokes at her regarding her wedding and subsequent mating.. She too was eagerly waiting for the arrival of her Nem as the bridegroom. Then came the news that Nemikumar was not to come for the wedding. No one could understand his decision to renounce just before wedding. Rajul got in utter grief. A calamity had overtaken her all of a sudden! Her girl friends tried to console her in that hour of crisis. Some of them started cursing Nem for putting their beloved friend in the awkward position. Some others advised her to forget the unpredictable Nem and look for other suitable match. Rajul had however admitted Nem in her heart as the husband. She could not even think of any other person to take his place. She did not like any one to curse Nem. She too had some spiritual orientation. When she came to know of real cause of Nem's renouncement, she could overcome her grief. She realized that Nem had left for a commendable purpose. She could appreciate his mission. She thought that the best way for her was to follow in the footsteps of Nem. Therefore she also renounced and left for meditation on Girnar.
Once while she was going from one place to another on the mount, it started raining heavily. She took shelter under a tree but it was inadequate for the heavy downpour. By the time the rain stopped, she was totally drenched. While going ahead, she saw a cave. She went inside, took off her clothes and started twisting them for getting rid of water. At that time Rathanemi (younger brother of Neminäth), who had renounced earlier, was meditating in a corner of that cave. He had once aspired to marry Rajul. He opened his eyes at the sound of Rajul's waving of her clothes. He could not believe that the girl he had dreamt of was standing there nude. He could not resist the temptation of getting her. He therefore left the meditation and coming close expressed his love for her.
Rajul was put in a very embarrassing situation. But she immediately regained her composure. Covering her body with the Saree, she told him that his desire was unbefitting for an ascetic like him. She explained that he should overcome his passion and stick to his renounced life. His succumbing to his instinct amounted to eating the vomited stuff. Even his brother Nem, to whom she was engaged, had left her in search for truth. As such he should not deviate from the path that he had selected. In the end Rathanemi could get the truth of her words. He begged her pardon and went ahead with his search for self realization. In due course he attained omniscience. Rajul also spent the rest of her life as the head of nuns' order of Neminäth and in the end attained heavenly life.
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LORD PÄRSHWANÄTH
About 3000 years back King Ashwasen was ruling over Varanasi which is also known as Benares situated on the bank of holy river Ganga. He was a benevolent and popular ruler. He had a queen named Vamadevi. On 10th day of the dark half of the month of Margashirsh* (which usually occurs in December) she gave birth to a son. During her pregnancy she had once observed a snake passing by her side. In memory of that incident the boy was named as Parshwakumar, because 'Parshwa' in Sanskrit language, means 'beside'. Parshwa was dark complexioned but very handsome like Lord Neminäth. He started growing up in the midst of wealth and happiness. In due course he grew up to be a very attractive young man known for his courtesy, bravery and valor. His reputation spread all round and many rulers were eager to get their daughters married