________________
133
experienced a feeling of profound satisfaction that his inner soul was striving for higher spirituality. At the close of the preaching, Mégha Kumara repeatedly bowed down at the feet of Śramaņa Bhagavan Mahāvīra, and requested him thus-Bhagavan I liked your preaching. I am interested in it. I have perfect faith in your Sayings, and I am desirous of a manly effort O Worshipful Lord! Whatever you have said is entirely true. With the permission of my parents, I am willing to live in your company and to act according to your commands'. The Merciful Lord replied.- O beloved of the gods! Do as you like most Do not delay'.
At the end of the conversation, Mégha Kumāra took his seat in his chariot and he returned home in hot haste. Immediately, Mégha Kumāra went to his parents and having respectfully saluted them, he said:-Dear Father and Mother! Today I had been to Śramaņa Bhagavan Mahāvīra and I heard his preaching. I liked it very much.' On hearing these words of Mégha Kumāra, his parents were greatly pleased and they said.-You are lucky, happy, intelligent, and wise, that you liked the preaching of Śramana Bhagavan Mahavira Then Mégha 'Kumāra said.-'Dear Parents - I have a keen desire of living with Sramapa Bhagavän Mahavira, and of behaving strictly in accordance with his precepts, I am willing to do so with your permission,"
On hearing these words never heard before, from the lips of her dutiful son, Dharini Mata became senseless, and she fell down on the ground with her body cold with profuse perspiration When she was brought to her senses by the, application of cooling remedies, she began to lament thus, with a sorrowful heart. O dear son! you are my only lovely son; you are the centre of my confidence, you are like a precious jewel in my house. It will be very difficult for me to bear the pangs of separation from you even for a moment. O dear son! I will marry you with eight soft-bodied beautiful lovely girls of noble families, who, with their bodies shghtly bent by their rounded protuberent fleshy breasts, will proudly walk about 111 your
Jain Education International
For Private Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
