Mahayogi Sthulabhadra Diwakar Chitrakatha 043

Author(s): Nityanandsuri, Chidanandmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 20

MAHAYOGI STHULABHADRA On the Samvatsari day during the Paryushan Aryaa Yakshaa was standing nearby. She Parva in the monsoon season Shriyak advised her brotherapproached the Acharya
Brother! For an ascetic Gurudeva ! I cannot
this is meant for fasting not
to touch food. Keep calm. To endure hunger. I cannot
endure the pain of hunger is remain without food
a religious duty for even for six hours.
an ascetic.
All day Aryaa Yakshaa recited excerpts from scriptures to help Shriyak remain calm.
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Oh! The pain is intolerable. I
can't....
Brother ascetic ! Please be patient. Please chant the name of Detached
Arihant.
But by evening ascetic Shriyak died of the agonizing pain of hunger.
The sudden death of Shriyak made ascetic Yakshaa very sadCurse me !
Aryaa ! You am the cause of
inspired your brother the untimely death
for spiritual practice. The of my ascetic
consequence is not brother. I am to
your fault. Please be blamed
compose yourself. for that.
Acharyashri helped Yakshaa regain her
composure. # The concluding day of the annual Jain religious festival when it is obligatory to observe a fast. 18