Book Title: Story Book
Author(s): Shrimad Rajchandra, Dinubhai M Patel
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram

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Page 32
________________ Asrava Bhavana-Kundarik compared with hellish life of a worldly man. The difficulties or pain to be undergone by an ascetic for developing a noble character, should not be regarded as pain or suffering at all; on the contrary they are to be taken as opportunities for a better life of self realization. Thus the little pain of ascetic strictness is really a doorway to permanent happiness and bliss, while the transient sensual pleasures, ending in deadly diseases are to be regarded as unpleasant road to absolve unhappiness and misery. From superficial external sight what appears as joy and happiness, is really unhappiness and full of pain and suffering. It is the cause of great unhappiness. This is proved beyond doubt by the dialogue of Mrugaputra with his parents. The non-attachment and a spirit of renunciation, shown by Mrugaputra, is described here to show what is true happiness. One who behaves like Mrugaputra reaches the highest state of liberation as did Mrugaputra. Such a saint realises the self which is the highest success of human life. This sense of mineness, with which the worldly life is led by all worldly persons is the cause of unending unhappiness and knowing this fully well, the great philosophers like Mrugaputra practise the ascetic life full of correct insight, right knowledge and consequent right behaviour or action. It is such life only that will bring permanent happiness and peace to a living being. The excellent life of great ascetic Mrugaputra, points to the renunciation of cyclic worldly living and all its accompaniments and adoption of a good enlightened ascetic life for realising the highest aim of human life namely self realization or liberation. Here comes to an end the life story of Mrugaputra. Philosophers always think of retirement from worldly life of cyclic rotation and the path of sin and sorrow. The life story of Mrugaputra completes the sixth picture i.e. Sansar Bhavana or the correct assessment of worldly life as a part of internal sight. Seventh Picture ASRAVA BHAVANA (Contemplation of incoming Elements) Twelve Avirati, Sixteen Kashayas, Nine Nokashayas, Five Mithyatva and fifteen Yoga, all these are totalling fifty seven entrances for incoming of sin. KUNDARIK Example : Two brothers named Pundarik and Kundarik were ruling quite well on the throne of the kingdom of vast Pundarikini city situated in Mahavideha continent. Once a great enlightened monk, while moving from place to place arrived there. Hearing his teachings, advising non-attachment, Kundarik got initiated to a life of non-attachment and then returning home entrusting his duties of a ruler to his brother Pundarik, he adopted an ascetic life. Eating all sorts of food, tasty or tasteless after some time, he fell ill and failed in ascetic discipline. He returned to Ashokwadi, an orchard in Pundarikini city, and hung his broom of wool and mouth bandage, the signs of a Jain ascetic and halting there, began constantly to brood as to whether his brother Pundarik would willingly return to him his status as a ruler of Pundarikini kingdom. The keeper of Ashokwadi recognised Kundarik as Pundarik's brother and going to Pundarik, he said, "Your brother Kundarik is ailing in Ashokwadi and he is much worried about regaining his status as your co-ruler of the kingdom." Pundarik, hearing this, came to Ashokwadi and observed the mental condition of his brother Kundarik and seeing him unstable in his ascetic discipline, 29

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