Mahavira his Times and his Philosophy of Life

Author(s): Harilal Jain, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

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practise the vows (Uttara-purāņa 74, 433-36): सर्वं निधाय तच्चित्ते श्रद्धाभून्महती मते, जैने कुतस्तथापि स्यान्-न मे व्रत-परिग्रहः । इत्यनु श्रेणिक-प्रश्नादवादीद् गण-नायकः, भोग-संजननाद् गाढ-मिथ्यात्वानुभवोदयात्। दुश्चरित्रान्महारम्भात्संचित्यैनो निकाचितम्, नारकं बद्धवानायुस्त्वं प्रागेवात्र जन्मनि। बद्ध-देवायुषोऽन्यायुरनाङ्गी स्वीकुरुते व्रतम्, श्रद्धानं तु समाधत्ते तस्मात् त्वं नाग्रहीतम् । Sreņika was also informed that he would pass away, after the nirvāṇa of Mahāvīra when just three years, eight months and fifteen days of the caturtha ārā are remaining (after which the pañcama-kāla would begin). Sreņika had such a firm faith in religion (samyaktva) that he recieved praise even from Surendra (i.e., the chief of gods). But a certain god would not believe this, and he came to test Sreņika. As king Śreņika was passing by the road, the god put on the appearance of a monk and started catching fish with a net in his hands. The king approached and saluted him; he submitted to him that he would act as his servant (and catch the fish for him); and he questioned him why he was occupied in this sinful activity. If fish were needed by him, he would collect them for him. The god said 'No, no, I do not need any more fish.' This episode became the talk of the town, and people began to find fault with Jaina religion. The king presented an example or situation (by way of illustration). In his assembly, the king bestowed on the princes a royal grant of maintenance, stamped with the royal signet but all besmeared with dirt. All of them accepted the document with great satisfaction and received it on their head. The king asked them how they could take it on their head when it was all covered with dirt. From them the reply came : “Just as a sentient jīva, though wrapped in filthy body, deserves respect, so too the great document from the king, though besmeared with dirt, deserves respect. The king smiled and pointed out to them that likewise the saints characterised by religious emblem (dharma-mudrā) deserve to be duly respected. Even if they have any flaw in them, they should not be detested, but they sould be made free from it with all due modesty.
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