Sthaviravali

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay
Publisher: Jain Granth Prakashak Sabha

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ter Diksa. He observed afts Chāritra Dharma, the duties of a Sadhu, faultlessly, studied the Scriptures carefully, became well-versed, destroyed bis Karmas, attained
Kéval Jnāna, Perfect Knowledge and finally, he acquired at ar Moksha-Mārga, the Path of Final Liberation
One day, both the brothers, Pundarika and Kundarika, on receiving information that some Sādhus had arrived near the town, went there for the purpose of hearing a preaching on religion. The preaching had such a wonderful effect on the mind of Pundarika, that he rose high in spiritual: meditation and reached home as an actual ascetic. He called his ministers and addressing his young brother Kundarika in their presence he said “O child! You take the reins of government of our father's kingdom into your own hands. I have been terrified by the miseries of this Samsāra. I have made up my mind to take Dikśā which will relieve me from that bondage. Accept therefore my proposal and act accordingly.”
Kundarika replied “O brother! Why are you anxious to keep me engrossed with desires for worldly objects ? I have no desire for them. I will also have Dikśā and will cross the ocean of worldly existence.
Pundarika pursuaded his younger brother Kundarika a great deal, but he did not believe his advice. Finally, Pundarika addressing Kundarika said “O brother! The organs of senses are difficult to be conquered. Mind is always unsteady. Youth is the abode of unusual perturbations. Negligence is natural with every living being. Endurance of sufferings and calamities becomes, at times, unbearable. You will have to be firm in your vows, because the observance of the vows of an ascetic is extremely difficult. It is highly expedient for you to take the vows of a Shravaka suitable for your duties as a house-holder, to govern your kingdom in accordance with those vows and to take Dikśā, after you have fully passed youth,”.