Stories From Jainism

Author(s): Mrugendramuni
Publisher: Jain Yoga Foundation

Page 50

Then King Shrenik asked, “Suppose he dies at this moment?”
“Well, he will go to the sixth hell,” replied the Lord. Then the king asked where he would go if he were to die that very moment.
“To the fifth hell," answered Lord Mahavir. Then the king went on asking “this time?” And Mahavir said, “The fourth, the third, the second and finally the first hell". Then he again asked, "If he were to die now?" Immediately came the reply, “The first heaven," Then as the questions were asked, the Lord went on saying, “The second, the third, the fifth and finally the highest paradise."
At that very moment there wafted in a fragrant breeze. Drums were heard beating in the sky. The whole world began to experience a sense of rare bliss and joy. King Shrenik too felt a celestial joy. Hence he could not help uttering, "How strange!" The Lord said: “Prasannachandra has cut down all the bonds of Karma. He is emancipated."
The king thought, “How wonderful! Seventh hell is followed by eternal bliss! All the clouds have vanished, indeed!" He again said, “Lord, this is indeed a mystery". Mahavir then said, “King Prasannachandra was in an agitated state when you saw him for the first time. He was thinking of the trouble that would befall his son. He had heard of the trouble coming from the King of Magadh. He thought that his kingdom of Potanpur was besieged by the enemy and it was difficult to save the kingdom from falling