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86. श्री महावीर के गृहस्थ शिष्य आनन्द की कथा ।
__यदि धर्म का, निष्ठा या चित्त-शुद्धि के साथ पालन किया जाय तो सन्यसियों के अतिरिक्त गृहस्थ भी अवधी ज्ञान या अतीन्द्रिय वीक्षण पा सकते हैं - इस बात का साक्ष्य यह कथा देती है। जब श्री महावीर स्वामी अपने गणवालों के साथ लिच्छवीं राजधानी वाणिज्यग्राम में संचार करते हुए समीप वाले द्विपालस चैत्य में प्रवचन कर रहे थे। वाणिज्य-ग्राम में आनन्द नामक एक सुप्रसिद्ध वाणिज्यवेत्ता - वाणिक प्रवर रहता था । वह बहुमुख प्रज्ञाशाली
और उस राज्य में सब से अधिक धनाढ्य है। उनकी सह-धर्म चारिणी शिवानन्दा है । स्वामी के आगमन से उस नगर-निवासिथों के मन के पुनीत होने की बात जानकर आनन्द ने सोचा कि वह स्वयं अपनी पात्नी के साथ स्वामी के दर्शन करे तो अच्छा होगा। इस प्रकार सोचकर वह अपने परिवार के साथ स्वामी के दर्शनों के लिये बड़े आडम्बर तड़क - भडक के साथ द्विपालस चैत्य के लिये चल पड़ा । वहाँ स्वामी ने अत्यन्त मनोहर ढंग से बहुत से साम्यों के साथ अनुराग पूर्वक, गृहस्थ को निर्दिष्ट “उपाशक दशहः” का उपदेश देते हुए आनन्द की तरफ एक बार देखा । स्वामी की उस दृष्टि ने आनन्द के भव - बन्धनों को क्षणभर में काट डाला । आनन्द उसी क्षण में अपनी धर्मपत्नि शिव के साथ स्वयं गृहस्थाम्य स्वीकार करने के संकल्प को लेकर स्वामी के समीप गये। उन्होंने प्रणाम करके सावमी से कहा
86 THE STORY OF SHRI ANANDA
(A HOUSEHOLDER DISCIPLE OF SHRMANA BHAGAWAN MAHAVIRA)
A fact that not only monks but also householders are exalted to Avadhijnana or Ateendriya Veekshana (Supra-Sensory Sight) provided they follow Dharma (the code of conduct with purity of mind) is well illustrated by the following story.
At that time, Shramana Bhagawan Mahaviraswamy, accompanied by his Ganadharas (Chief Disciples), was moving through Vanijyagram, the capital of Lichhivi Rulers. Near this place there was a Chaitya named Dvipalasa. The Swamy was seated there and was discoursing. In Vanijyagram there lived a famous businessman by name Ananda. He was a multifaceted personality, besides being the richest of the people in the Kingdom. His wife was Sivananda. Ananda observed that the minds of townsmen were purified with the preachings of the Swamy. So, he wanted to pay a visit to the Swamy. Accompanied by his wife and entourage, Ananda went to the Chaitya with great fan-fare. When Ananda reached the spot the Swamy was preaching 'Upasaka Dasaha' meant for practice by a Grihastha. The preaching was punctuated with very interesting and relevant comparisons, and those gathered were listening to the discourse with rapt attention. When the Swamy's glance fell upon Ananda the merchant was filled with an instant desire to receive Jaina Grihasthamya Dharmas (the duties of Jain Householder), as his wordly attachments were snapped with
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