Tirthankar Mahavir

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

Page 66

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
In front of the palanquin were kings, army-chiefs, merchants, caravanleaders, gods and goddesses. It was indeed a marvel that gods of heavenly world, humans of human world and spirits of the nether world were walking together in harmony.
Such was the procession of renunciation, self-control and spiritual gain. Thousands of people bowed before Vardhamana. The palanquin reached the large Jnatakhandavana Park at the edge of the city. Everyone experienced mixed feelings of joy and sorrow. There, accompanied by the great retinue, Vardhamana descended from his seat and stood under a holy ashoka tree. The gods and men started playing their respective divine and human musical instruments. The sound of music inspired the feeling of devotion in the hearts of all. Vardhamana's heroism surpassed the heroism of the greatest of the royal warriors. The adventure of renunciation which he had undertaken, was beyond the capacity of the gods. Could there be anything unattainable for such a hero ?
Vardhamana Isolated with no Companions
Under the holy ashoka tree in Jnatakhandavana Park, Vardhamana removed his garlands and ornaments. He removed the rings from his fingers, necklaces from his neck, earrings from his ears, armlets from his arms and the crown from his head. The honourable chief lady of his family lineage - Ikshvaku - came there and collected the ornaments in a silken cloth ('Hamsa-lakshana') which was as white and smooth as a swan. Such an event meant that her entire family lineage would attain salvation and would be remembered for all ages to come. While taking leave of Vardhamana, she gave him her last message: "O my dear son Vardhamana, blessed is your family, blessed is your noble ancestry, blessed are your purehearted parents. You, son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala and a progeny of the Ikshvaku family lineage and the Kashyapa ancestry, are, today, taking to a highly auspicious path. Your heroism is known to the entire world. People call you Maha-vira. You are fighting against the internal enemies. You are displaying your valour against the workings of your past karmas. Display your courage, perseverance and vigilance in the observance of great vows. What more should I say? You know everything. What is the use of my giving any advice to you when you yourself are an ocean of absolute knowledge ?"
Charity of Devadusya
(the holy cloth)