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CONVERSION
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astonishment of my relatives and physicians When they knew of my vow of renunciation they were crest-fallen I learnt that the refugeless people desire others also to remain exposed and unprotected like them I was not to be so esily dissuaded I embraced monkhood'
The autobiography of the monk became the tale of conersion of Shrenik He was not only enamoured of the piety of the monk, he decided to seek initiation from Lord Mahavira and be a monk himself
In Buddhistic scriptures are various narrations of conversion to Buddhism Shrenik became a devotee of Buddha Abhayakumar was Shrenik's son He was a man of parts and served as his counsel also He was devoutly attached to Lord Mahavira He went to Lord Buddha and adopted his religion after some discussions
Religious conversion was admittedly in vogue during those days But anecdotes connected with Abhayakumar hardly indicate that he had weaned himself to Buddhism He had been initiated by Lord Mahavira and he was respected by his followers till the end
Shrenik was reluctant to permit Abhayakumar to adopt his proposed monkhood Abhayakumar was insistent Shrenik ultimately agreed to it that if he someday uttered 'You may go away,' that will release him from the household bondage
It so happened that Shrenik was tormented with suspicion on his wife's conduct He commanded prince Abhayakumar to reduce the palace to ashes and proceeded to Lord Mahavira's proximity There his suspicion was cured He rushed back The flames and smoke were visible from afar Abhayakumar was met in the way Shrenik asked him, 'Alas, what is it that you have done?' 'The compliance of a regal decree,' replied the prince Said Shrenik, 'Please go away Pity that you have done it' These were the words Abhayakumar had been waiting for impatiently Ho had thus obtained the per
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Twentieth study in 'Uttaradhyayan Sutra
