Sachitra Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir

Author(s): M Subba Rao
Publisher: Sanmati Haidarabad

Page 72

29. मरीचि - भौतिक एवं देवत्व
भारतक्षेत्र का शासन करने वाले सम्राट भरत के पिता श्री वृषभनाथ स्वामि सर्वप्रथम तीर्थङ्कर थे । उन्होंने 'समवशरण' में अपने भक्तों को दृष्टि में रख कर बहुत ही सुन्दर रीति से उपदेश दिया । सम्राट भरत के पुत्र मरीचि ने एकाग्रता पूर्ण दीक्षा से श्री वृषभनाथ के उपदेश सुने और विरागी होकर सांसारिक जीवन का त्याग करके परिव्राजक के रूप में उनके पीछे सारे देश भर में भ्रमण कर लोगों में जैन-सिद्धान्तों का अच्छी तरह प्रगाढ़ प्रचार किया। मरीचि की कार्य दीक्षा और दक्षता पर सन्तुष्ट होकर वृषभनाथ जी ने आशीर्वाद दिया कि चौबीसवें तीर्थङ्कर के रुप में मरीचि जन्म-साधना और आध्यात्मिक जीवन को अपने ढंग से एक मार्ग बनायेगा । उस प्रकार का आशीर्वाद प्राप्त कर मरीचि ने देहान्तर में 'ब्रह्मदेव लोक' में 'सप्तसागर' समय पर्यन्त रहकर फिर से कोलक नामवाले ग्राम में एक ब्राह्मण के घर में जन्म लिया। पिछले जन्म की संस्कारों के कारण त्रिदणिड होकर 'ईशान' स्वर्ग में कुछ समय बिताने के पश्चात उन्होंने मनुष्य जन्म लिया ।
29 MARICHI
Shri Vrishabhanatha Swami, the father of Bharata, the first emperor of Bhaaratha (the land of Bharata) was the first Tirthankara. He used to sit in “Samavasharana" (a holy enclosure) and address his devotees in an enchanting manner. Marichi, the grandson of Shri Vrishabhanathaji and son of Bharatha was so affected by the preaching of Shri Vrishabhanathaji that he took to a life of renunciation, left his family and as a wandering monk, toured all the country, preached the principles of Jainism to the people in an effective way. Shri Vrishabhanathaji was so impressed with the sense of purpose and devotion to duty of Marichi that he gave him the title of“Vira" and foretold that Marichi would be reborn as the 24th Tirthankara and would show to the people the spiritual way in a manner all his own. Having been blessed thus Marichi ascended to Brahmadevaloka after giving up his physical body, where he dwelt for a period of "Saptha Sagara” after which his soul returned to the earth to take birth in a Brahmin family in the village of Kollaka. Thus with the strength of the Samskara of previous births Shri Mahavira became a monk of the order of Tridandi. After giving up his physical body his soul resided in Eesána Swarga for some time. After that this was once again on its way to take birth on earth.