Risabha Deva

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 19

GLIMPSES ALONG LIFE'S JOURNEY
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soul.force came to him, as if in exchange for worldly greatness and kingly pomp, His mind was at rest; he understood the nature of things, and acquired unruffled mental calm in consequence of the understanding.
Thus, the end of the month found him a wellwisher of all, a hater of none! It also found him firmly established in the spirit of renunciation and filled with śanti (tranquillity) that nothing could disturb.
On the accomplishment of the sallekhanã death Mahabala was born in the region of the Devas (celestials). He now came to be called Lalitanga.
He remembered his past llfe, and recalling that his good fortune was due to the effect of the practising of dharma, he went to worship the Tirthamkaras in the Temples of the devaloka (heavens). Thence he returned and settled down to the deva-life which is like one continuous feast of pleasure.
There is nothing of labour or industry known in the abodes of devas. They do not have to sweat for their livelihood.
Fun and frolic characterise the life of those who find themselves so placed as to have nothing whatsoever to do. There is not even public work to be done in the heavens, as there are no needy folk there. The troubles are only mental-jealousy at the greater brilliance and beauty of another deva, and the like. But no one can alleviate such suffering.