Stories From Jainism

Author(s): Mrugendramuni
Publisher: Jain Yoga Foundation

Page 53

“Certainly. Anybody is free to see him. His doors are open to all."
Hearing this, Atimukta was much pleased. He followed Gautam in order to see the Guruji. He walked a long way along with Gautam and reached the garden. Here he saw Lord Mahavir giving a sermon to the people gathered there. Atimukta began to listen to what was being said there. He heard words as sweet as nectar. They had great effect on him. He then presented himself to Lord Mahavir at the end of the sermon. The prince said, 'O Lord, I seek your shelter. Please initiate me as your disciple."
The Lord asked him to get permission from his parents and then he would be accepted.
The prince then went to his parents to get the permission. On hearing the prince's request to renounce the world, the king, the queen and all the members of the king's harem were wonder-struck. It was like a bolt from the blue for them all. They tried to deter him from his resolve, by offering various kinds of temptations. But it is not possible to deter a person who has fixed his goal. Hence, they could not make him change his mind. Finally, getting the necessary permission of his parents, Atimukta approached the Guru, and was accepted.
Days passed by. One day Atimukta was going to the town, along with other fellow disciples, to get alms.
It was now the rainy season. It had rained heavily some time earlier. Water was flowing through the channels in the