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Pearls of Jaina Wisdom
lems of life and world. He studied deeply the adverse situations prevalent in the society at that time. Superstitions, animal sacrifices, 'inhuman treatment of women and Śūdras - awakened the revolutionary spirit in Vardhamāna. His mind began to revolt and he wanted to find solution to these problems. His parents were surprised to see no change in his attitude and life-style even after his marriage. He kept aloof most of the time, always absorbed in his self. He was determined to renounce the world. But as he had great regard for his parents, he had taken a vow not to renounce the world as long as they were alive. Desire for Renunciation
When Vardhamāna was 28 years old, his parents died. After sometime, he asked permission of his elder brother Nandivardhana to renounce the world. Hearing this, Nandivardhana became sad and pleaded with him against it and insisted that he should remain in the world for at least two more years. Vardhamāna agreed. However, during these two years, he led a simple and detached life. He was found constantly engaged in meditation. He observed the vow of celibacy, never took his food at night, gave up anger and other passions and slept on the floor. Yaśodă helped him in observing various religious practices. He also donated liberally lacs of gold coins and other items to the poor and needy. The Great Renunciation
At the age of thirty, Mahāvīra decided to renounce the world. The news of his determination to take renunciation spread throughout the kingdom. The prince, who had everything in his life to enjoy but decided to give up all, was a great news. Thousands of men and women gathered to bid him a tearful good-bye. King Nandivardhana made magnificent arrangements for Vardhamāna's initiation. On the auspicious tenth of the dark half of Mārgaśīrşa month in 569 B.C. Vardhamāna left his palace for the Jñātakhanda garden ( a large park ), seated in a golden palanquin, in a magnificent procession. King Nandivardhana, his family, ministers and the entire
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