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DISCOURSE 65
229
From the Audience: Would it not have been better if Rudrasoma had gone to Aryarakshit instead of sending for him ?
Maharajashri: There could be many reasons for her not going to Ujjain to meet her son. Probably in those days, women did not go out. Another point is this. She was the wife of the court-priest. The third reason could be this. She could not have a heart-to-heart conversation with him among the other sadhus if she had gone there. The fourth reason was that she wanted to impel all the members of her family to pursue the path of Moksha. Rudrasoma was not ensnared by affection or attachment. She was not the kind of Shravika who would be happy on merely seeing her son. If Aryarakshit came to Dashpur, even his father might become a follower of the noble Dharma because the father had deep affection for his son. That affection might be efficacious in effecting a transformation in his life. Probably, all such thoughts might have arisen in her mind. The message she sent to Aryarakshit was deeply meaningful and was suggestive of all those meanings. What a deeply meaningful and highly suggestive message did that mother send her son ! The message was really marvellous.
THE INSPIRING MESSAGE SENT BY THE MOTHER WHO WAS A SHRAVIKA
"Oh my son! You have discarded your affection and attachment for your mother; and you have also discarded your attachment for your relatives. But there should continue affection and compassion; shouldn't they? Shri Jinendra Paramatma has given importance to affection and compassion. Lord Mahaveer had devotion for his mother ever since he entered her womb. Therefore, I want you to come here soon; and to delight my heart by your visit. You must think of the mental agitation I have been experiencing on account of the separation from you.
And I would like to mention another point. If you come here, I will also follow the path of the Sadhudharma or the Charitramarga which you have been following. Your father, brother and sister also will follow the same path. : If you do not have affection for me, and even if you have
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