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Jamali : His Life and point of difference from lord Mahavira
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could not prevail upon Jamali to lead the life of householder. At last they yielded and gave their consent with great reluctance.
The preparations were made on a grand scale for Jamali's renunciation. The usual formalities were performed and Jamali was taken to Lord Mahâvîra. His parents bowed and saluted the Lord and said thus : 'In this manner, Sir, the Ksatriya prince Jamali is verily our only son, beloved and charming. Whose mere name is scarce to be heard, how difficult is it to have a sight of him ? Just as a lotus or a water lily sprouts in the mud, grows in the water but remains perfectly unsoiled with mud-dust or water-drops, in a similar manner, this Ksatriya prince Jamali is born and has been brought up in pleasures and sensual enjoyments. Even then, they have no power over him. Nor have friends, kinsmen and near and dear relatives any attraction for him. O You Beloved of gods, He is averse to these worldly objects and afraid of the pains of birth and death. He wishes, after having got himself shaved bald to get himself initiated before you. Therefore, we offer you this gift of him. Please accept, Beloved of gods, the gift of a disciple.
The formal ceremonies were performed and Jamali, together with five hundred young men, all in the heyday of their youth, entered the Holy Order. Muni Kalyana Vijaya holds the view that the initiation of Jamali took place, during the second year of Mahâvîra's attainment of Infinite Knowledge, i.e., Omniscience (499-498 B.V.)16 6. Ascetic Life
That was a time when asceticism was essentially combined with profound scholarship. The first and foremost duty of a young neophyte was as usual, to study the eleven Angas. Naturally Jamali was instructed in these holy scriptures. In due course he attained a position of distinction and influence. Mahâvîra then made him head of 500 monks and 1000 nuns who were under the supervision of Priyadarsana, Jamali's wife in worldly relations who also accepted the life of a female ascetic when her husband had renounced the world. It seems that the high rank held by Jamali was not on account of his exceptional learning but due to his influence on his fellow monks, who had a great regard for him during his household life. The statement that he studied the
