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Jain WHEN THE CHARM OF THE WOMAN FAILED : THE STORY THE GREAT JAIN MONK STHULIBHADRA

WHEN THE CHARM OF THE WOMAN FAILED : THE STORY

THE GREAT JAIN MONK STHULIBHADRA

BY :DR. T.K. JAIN

PARAKH NIWASSHIVAKAMU VETERINARY HOSPITAL

ROADBIKANER 334001

MOBILE : 9414430763

There are many stories in Jain literature. These stories were known to every Jain person earlier, but now these are getting limited to books and libraries. These stories have a message hidden in them. The message is about self control, self regulation and ultimate goal of life. These stories also tell us about the rich tradition of Jain Saints, which can certainly inspire the next generations to lead a life of principles and commitments. One such story is presented here for the guidance of the younger generations. I heard this story from my mother. My cousin Sri Lalit Nahata even started a newsletter on the great saint Sthulibhadra. I am sure that similar initiatives will spread the great ideas further.

Nothing is more difficult to avoid than the charm that a woman carries. Nothing is more difficult to conquer than one’s own emotions and temptations. Nothing is more difficult to challenge than to challenge one’s own image. Nothing is more difficult to follow than to follow one’s own vows which have not yet be tested out.

Life creates its own trainings and its own ups and downs. The biggest turnaround is not converting your loss making unit into a profit making unit, but the biggest turnaround is when you see a U turn in the life of people just due to change in the goal of life. Can you believe that a decoit can turn into the greatest of all saints - read the story of Valmiki. Can you believe that the most knowledgeable persons can also fail against the charm of a woman and loose everything – read the story of Ravana. We have many inspiring stories spread out in Indian sub-continent, which tell you about correct and incorrect method of taking decisions and what can be the most difficult moment in the life of a person.

Sthulibhadra is one of the greatest saints from India. His story is an inpriational story for the young persons as the story tells you about the importance of commitment to vows, self-restraint, concentration on goals and the most important -- the power of true spirituality.

Patliputra (close to modern Patna in Bihar State) city was capital of champa state. Sthulibhadra’s father was minister of Champa. When he died at Patliputa, the living of Champa offered the post of minister to one of his sons, called Shriyak. But Shriya ka suggested that the post should be offered to his elder brother SthuliBhadra. The life of Sthulibhadra took a U turn from this moment. While till this time, he had spent his time in romance and in other youthful sports, now takes the birth of the great saint. Sthulibhadra was contemplating on the life and its utility. The untimely death of his father shook him and forced him to look at life from ontological perspective. He was thinking on fundamental questions – what is the purpose of life, why have we come to the world, why should we spend our time in wasting here and there, what is the ultimate goal for us, how can we liberate from the cycle of birth and death etc. Meanwhile, the king asked where Sthuli Bhadra was; and Shrivak inform that all last 12 years, he had been living at a courtesan’s house. Sthuli Bhadra asked to take this position. In the beginning he asked for some time to think, but after wards he refused to accept the post of minister. He said that such lucrative and tempting position can definitely bring him hell only. He therefore decided to become a monk. He himself plucked out his hairs in five handful and declared that he wants to join the Jain monk order. However, the king was doubtful about Sthuli Bhadra ’s intention (because over the period, his image was built as a lascivious person) , but he himself verified that instead of going to the place of courtesan, he went to renounce the

world. Shriyak was appointed as minister. Sthuli Bhadra practiced severe austerely at the foot of famous sage Sambhut Vijayjee. Sambut Vijayjee had two more disciples, besides Sthuli Bhadr. As per Jain traditions, a saint cannot travel during four months of mansoon (as during this period lots of insects travel through roads and walking on roads means killing insects, therefore, the Jain Saints spend these four months of Mansoon in a city only and don’t move out of the city. One of the three saints preferred to stay in a lion’s cave. The other one preferred to stay near the hole where most poisonous snake was staying. Both the furious lion and poisonous snake became friendly with the monks and did no harm to them. At that time, the Jain Saints could build an aura around themselves (leshya) which could calm any furious person or animal. They had the capability to give calmness to any person or animal. It is shocking that such vital arts and capabilities have disappeared. There are many instances of similar situations.

Sthuli Bhadra preferred to spend his mansoon period (four months) at the residence of the same courtesan with whom he was staying previously. She was happy to receive Sthuli Bhadr a back home- Sthuli Bhadra explained to her that he had now become a monk. He saught only a small place to live. The courtesan tried to attract him is many ways; but Sthuli Bhadra was firm. The courtesan realised that her efforts will bring her no results; so she gave up and requested Sthuli Bhadra to give her religious instructions. Finally, she accepted the philosophy of Jainism and became a Shravika. After a successful completion of 4 months monsoon, all thee monks came back to their Guru Sambhunt Vijayjee. The guru received them well and appreciated their boldness and firmness. He made special appreciation for Sthuli

Bhadra, which made both other disciples jealous. They felt that the Guru was making a preferential treatment to Sthuli Bhadra. They however did not speak, but their displeasure was obviously seen. In the next monsoon, one of the monks who had spent 4 months in the lion’s cave, preferred to go to the courtesan’s house for this monsoon. The Guru tried to warn him, but he was confident of his strength. The Guru consented and he went to the courtesan’s house. Here after sometime, he got attracted to the courtesan’s charm and beauty. He requester her for her favor; but she did not respond. More she refused; more the monk was attracted to her. Now to test him, the courtesan placed a condition before a monk that if he gives her huge amount of money, she would consider his request. The monk therefore moved out in search of huge amount of money. Somebody informed the monk t hat if visits a Nepal; he will get a precious blanket from there, and would get huge amount of money. He went to Nepal and begged for a blanket. After getting blanket, he returned; but on way some robbers came to rob him. With great efforts only, he could save his life and the same blanket. Later he saw a dancer dancing on a bamboo. A lady was telling the dance to focus on the bamboo and not to see here and there as the dancer was about to complete the dance. That was the moment, when the monk got a message that he had spent entire life as monk and now at the feg end, he was getting distracted. When he returned home and presented the precious blanket to the courtesan she said that both the blanket and the monk were worthless to her. The monk realized that he had deviated from the right path. He approached his Guru and apologized and narrated the whole story, Guru immediately said that by now he must have realized why Sthuli Bhadra was considered better and was appreciated for his great firmness. The monk

realized this. Later the Guru gave knowledge of 10 Purvas to Sthulibhadra. Sthulibhadra could now transform his shape. Once his sisters (from his original family) came to meet him. Sthulibhadra transformed his shape to that of a lion. The two sisters got worried and rushed to the guru and said that Sthulibhadra has been killed by a lion. The Guru understood the facts and asked the sisters to go again and assured them that Sthulibhadra was safe. When they again came, they found SThulibhadra. On this incident, the Guru didn’t like the conduct of Sthulibhadra. He warned him that the spiritual powers were not for display. He refused to grant further knowledge. He did provide knowledge of remaining four purvas to Sthulibhadra, but he told that these powers cannot be transferred further. He was apprehensive of misuse of the powers. Thus the most of the powers were not transferred further.

Still Sthulibhadra is considered one of the greatest saints in Jain history for his firmness, his determination and his capabilities. You can read stories on him, which are regularly published in Sthulibhadra Times (published by Sri Lalit Nahata from Delhi).

The life of Sthulibhadra gives us many inspirational ideas. It depends on us what we absorb and transmit to our next generations.