Journey Into Jainism

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

Page 88

The Value of Self-Control
The Value of Repentance (2)
Chetak was the ruler of Vaishaali. he had a daughter named Mrigaavati, who married Shataanik of Koshambi. A few years later, she wanted to renounce the world. She put forth her ideas before her family members and they allowed her to be initiated as she wished.
After her initiation, Mrigaavati lived with Sadhvi Chandanbaala who was the head sadhvi. Once Sadhvi Mrigaavati and Chandanbaala went to the place of Lord Mahavir. At that very moment, the luminous gods of the sun and the moon in their original forms came to visit Mahavir. After conversing with Mahavir, Chandanbaala went back to the sadhvi's dwelling.
Mrigaavati, who stayed on to talk more with Mahavir, soon lost the track of time. When the gods, the sun and the moon returned to their places, it had suddenly become very dark and Mrigaavati ran back to her place. She was rebuked by Sadhvi Chandanbaala: "You are a sadhvi and thus have no business staying with sadhus after sunset." Mrigaavati confessed her lapse and begged forgiveness from her.
That night, after Sadhvi Chandanbaala had fallen asleep, Sadhvi Mrigaavati could not sleep because she was repenting deeply over her fault and soon perceived light everywhere. She had gotten enlightenment (Kevalgyaan) due to the atmosphere of purity that surrounded her thinking.
4