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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
Conversation beruel
Dharmasha and Shubhadra and initiation of Dhanna-Shalibhadra
attachment to worldly pleasures. He informed his mother of his resolve. His mother advised him to renounce his wealth and wives gradually and slowly. She told him that gradual and progressive renunciation would ultimately make him a true ascetic. The tempting and enticing charms of his wives and the attraction of worldly enjoyment could not swerve him from his resolve, which was strengthened with the persistent persuasion of his mother
Shalibhadra's sister Subhadra also lived in Rajagruhi with her husband Dhannasha, a rich merchant. Once, remembering Shalibhadra's resolve to renounce the world, tears welled up in her eyes. On seeing this, Dhannasha said, "Shalibhadra will not attain his desired end by gradually renouncing his wives one by one on different days. That is no heroism. It is cowardice. If he is really determined to assume the life of an ascetic, he should renounce everything at once." Subhadra retorted, “That is easier said than done." The taunting words of his wife pierced Dhannasha's heart like an arrow and at
that very moment he renounced Subhadra and his other seven wives, went straight to Shalibhadra and said, "O Shaibhadra, in renouncing the world it does not become you to ac: like a coward. Renounce everything at once." The words had great impact on Shalibhadra. Both he and Dhannasha renounced all attachments to worldly objects and abandoned everything. The citizens of Rajagruhi witnessed a miracle. Two rich men, who had lived in great luxury and pomp all their lives, had renounced the world to become ascetics.
Skalibhadra and Dhannasha went to an assembly hall outside Rajagruhi to see the vererable Mahavira. They accepted the vow of spending the rest of their lives as Jaina ascetics under the leadership of Mahavira. They made firm resolutions to divert their life from the path of luxury and world.y enjoyment to that of severe austerity and self-control. The spiritual strength that they received from within induced them to forget all bodily attachment, comforts and worries. When they renounced the world and became ascetics, they became free from all bondages and desires. They were not
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