Journey Into Jainism

Author(s): Smitpragyashreeji, Vishrutvibhashreeji
Publisher: B Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd

Page 22

The Value of Pure Thought (2)
Marudevaa was the mother of Rishabha, the first Tirthankar (prophet) in Jain religion. She was a very benevolent and pure-hearted lady. Because she was beyond the wasteful emotions of anger, pride, deceit and greed, the bondage of her karma was not intense. After Rishabha's initiation into the monkhood, she lost interest in housework, and instead spent her time on religious performances.
For a long period of time following Rishabha's initiation, Marudevaa could not visit him. One day, after attaining supreme knowledge, Lord Rishabha came back to Ayodhya.
For some time his mother had been worried about him. She pondered over what would happen to Rishabha after he renounced the world, who would serve him, who would take care of him! At times, because of her strong bonds of attachment to Rishabha, she thought, "Rishabha should have kept me in mind, because, after all, I am his mother." When she thought of Rishabha, she was choked with emotion. When she learned of Rishabha's arrival, she was overjoyed. Jubilantly she made preparations to visit Rishabha and to make up for the lost time between them.
The festivities commenced. As she sat high on an elephant, a flow of thoughts passed forth in her mind.