ABHAYKUMAR

The message of Bhagwan Mahavir had spread far and wide and the impact was felt by the common people as well as the kings and the emperors. One of the chief devotees of Bhagwan Mahavir was Shrenik Bimbisar, the king of Magadh. His son Abhaykumar was also Mahavir’s chief devotee and there are historical references about him in the records of the Swetambara and Digambara tradition, and also in the ancient Buddha agam majzimanikay. It is also believed that Abhaykumar had once met and honoured Gautam Buddha. This reflects his reverence for other religions and his catholicity. The minister to king Shrenik, Abhaykumar, was an embodiment of supreme intelligence, religiosity and detachment. His keen intellect had helped to solve many a thorny problem. It, then, became customary to write the words may we be blessed with the intellect of Abhaykumar, in the account books worshipped dUring the festival of Deepawali. Once father Bimbisar challenged his son Abhaykumar to retrieve a ring from an empty well without descending into it. Abhaykumar threw cowdung into the well and allowed it to dry. The ring stuck to the dung cake and now. he filled the well with water. The cake, with the ring in it, swelled to the rim and thus the ring was retrieved. Similarly, he had helped the king to nab the thief stealing mangoes from the garden. Once the king wanted to learn the skill of mesmerism in order to attract people towards him from a person of low caste. But he could not. Abhaykumar found out the cause of his failure. He said, “You can not learn any skill or art sitting on your throne. Instal the person of low caste in a high seat as your teacher and then only the goddess of knowledge will be pleased with you.” Thus, he established the supremacy of a teacher. Abhaykumar was renowned as a highly intelligent, just, loving and an ideal minister. He used to learn about people’s problem travelling in cognito and this helped him to defeat conspiracies against his kingdom. There are many such instances to prove his razor-sharp intellect and ingenuity and Jain literature is replete with stories testifying to his qualities. He was also generous, courteous and self-abnegating. When the king Shrenik thought of appointing him his successor, he, with the consent of all, instead became a disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir. Abhaykumar travelled far and wide and spread the message of Mahavir. He visited a region known as Parasya in those days, and known now as Iran. The prince of Parasya was Abhaykumar’s friend. The prince, influenced by the preachings ofMahavir, had also become his disciple later. It is said that, at the request of Adrak, Abhaykumar had sent a golden idol to him. The darshan of the idol caused the desire for vairag(renunciation) in Adrak and he set out on a journey to ancient India. The members of his family tried in vain to dissuade him. He, then, met Bhagwan Mahavir and surrendered himself to him. Abhaykumar, thus, proved himself a competent, intelligent minister and also a highly devoted monk. In the Jain tradition, Abhaykumar symbolises an ideal blend of intellect, devotion and sacrifice. He renounced the worldly pleasures and chose the difficult path of penance. All the princes of Shrenik Bimbisar – AbhaykumarJ Meghkumar, Nandisen and Varisen – led a life of renunciation though born into afflunce and luxuries. Under the spell of Bhagwan Mahavir’s influence, they gave up everything and walked on the difficult path of penance and spiritualiThe message of Bhagwan Mahavir had spread far and wide and the impact was felt by the common people as well as the kings and the emperors. One of the chief devotees of Bhagwan Mahavir was Shrenik Bimbisar, the king of Magadh. His son Abhaykumar was also Mahavir’s chief devotee and there are historical references about him in the records of the Swetambara and Digambara tradition, and also in the ancient Buddha agam majzimanikay. It is also believed that Abhaykumar had once met and honoured Gautam Buddha. This reflects his reverence for other religions and his catholicity. The minister to king Shrenik, Abhaykumar, was an embodiment of supreme intelligence, religiosity and detachment. His keen intellect had helped to solve many a thorny problem. It, then, became customary to write the words may we be blessed with the intellect of Abhaykumar, in the account books worshipped dUring the festival of Deepawali. Once father Bimbisar challenged his son Abhaykumar to retrieve a ring from an empty well without descending into it. Abhaykumar threw cowdung into the well and allowed it to dry. The ring stuck to the dung cake and now. he filled the well with water. The cake, with the ring in it, swelled to the rim and thus the ring was retrieved. Similarly, he had helped the king to nab the thief stealing mangoes from the garden. Once the king wanted to learn the skill of mesmerism in order to attract people towards him from a person of low caste. But he could not. Abhaykumar found out the cause of his failure. He said, “You can not learn any skill or art sitting on your throne. Instal the person of low caste in a high seat as your teacher and then only the goddess of knowledge will be pleased with you.” Thus, he established the supremacy of a teacher. Abhaykumar was renowned as a highly intelligent, just, loving and an ideal minister. He used to learn about people’s problem travelling in cognito and this helped him to defeat conspiracies against his kingdom. There are many such instances to prove his razor-sharp intellect and ingenuity and Jain literature is replete with stories testifying to his qualities. He was also generous, courteous and self-abnegating. When the king Shrenik thought of appointing him his successor, he, with the consent of all, instead became a disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir. Abhaykumar travelled far and wide and spread the message of Mahavir. He visited a region known as Parasya in those days, and known now as Iran. The prince of Parasya was Abhaykumar’s friend. The prince, influenced by the preachings ofMahavir, had also become his disciple later. It is said that, at the request of Adrak, Abhaykumar had sent a golden idol to him. The darshan of the idol caused the desire for vairag(renunciation) in Adrak and he set out on a journey to ancient India. The members of his family tried in vain to dissuade him. He, then, met Bhagwan Mahavir and surrendered himself to him. Abhaykumar, thus, proved himself a competent, intelligent minister and also a highly devoted monk. In the Jain tradition, Abhaykumar symbolises an ideal blend of intellect, devotion and sacrifice. He renounced the worldly pleasures and chose the difficult path of penance. All the princes of Shrenik Bimbisar – AbhaykumarJ Meghkumar, Nandisen and Varisen – led a life of renunciation though born into afflunce and luxuries. Under the spell of Bhagwan Mahavir’s influence, they gave up everything and walked on the difficult path of penance and spirituali

RAJA KUMARPAL

The life of Rajarshi (king with the attributes of a sage) Kumarpal symbolising bravery, justice and compassion and it is a glorious chapter in the saga of Jainism. Kumarpal, an apostle of non-violence, was a powerful monarch. As a man of exceptional talents, he had carved out a niche for himself not only in the history of Gujarat but of India and his life was full of some extraordinary events.

His life was a blend of grievous calamities and glorious achievements, a blend of joys and sorrows. Born in a noble family, he suffered king’s ire, separation from family, thirst and starvation and had to beg and roam in forests. Finally he defeated his enemy, got back his kingdom and embraced religion to die a coveted death. It was a life fit to be a subject of an epic. Profuse details about Kumarpal are available in Dwayashray of Hemchandracharya, in the play Moharajparajay by Yashpal and Kumarpalpratibodh of Somprabhacharya. Such a detailed history of no other king is available in India.

Born in 1093 CE, Kumarpal was married to Bhopaldevi. Siddhraj had no issue and hence Kumarpal was to succeed him to the throne. However Siddharaj did not want Kumarpal to inherit the throne of Gujarat. He wished that Kumarpal died and then was reborn as his son to become the king of Gujarat. He, therefore, tried to kill Kumarpal but didn’t succeed. Hemchandracharya had been kind to him and helped him many a time.

In 1143 CE, at the age of fifty, Kumarpal ascended the throne of Gujarat. At the instance of kalikal sarvagya (all knowing) scholar Hemchandracharya, the new king banned gambling in the kingdom. He proclaimed: “The people at large are violent and are at one another’s throat. Lying is a sin and illicit relationship with a woman is a worse sin; but violence to living organism is the worst of all sins. I ordain that no one should profit from violence. Those who practise violence should give it up and they will be fed at the king’s kitchen for three years if they have no means of subsistence.”

He instructed his officials to give severe punishment to those who indulged in violence. Kumarpal’s devotion to non violence inspired the kings in the neighbouring countries too to practise non-violence. They prohibited any form of violence committed for the sake of religion or livelihood. The offering of animals to goddess kantakeshwari was also prohibited. He closed down slaughter houses at the instance of Hemchandracharya. The compassion for all living organism that one finds in Gujarat is the result of sustained campaign launched by Kumarpal at the instance of Hemchandracharya. He was made to accept the twelve vows of samyaktva and grihastha and Hemchandracharya then conferred on him the title Rajshri (best among the kings).

He also freed Kumarpal from divine curse. His routine included waking up to the chanting of devotional songs, recitation of Vitrag stotra and Yogashastra, partaking of food only after offering it to the gods, lighting of a lamp, singing of psalms and reflecting on the lives of great beings before going to bed. During the period of fourteen years of his rule he donated gold worth crores of rupees, commissioned writing of twenty-one volumes, effected friendship treaties with fourteen countries, undertook seven pilgrimages, constructed 1444 shrines, and renovated 1600 shrines. He is remembered in the history as an ideal king of exceptional talents. In 1173 CE, Hemchandracharya, aged eighty-four, breathed his last and Kumarpal the disciple of the great master, died at the age of eighty in 1174 CE.

deeds of kumarpal maharaja

AIMUTTA MUNI:

Once upon a time in the streets of Polaspur, a six-year-old child named Aimutta was playing with some friends. He was the son of King Vijay and Queen Shrimati. While playing he saw a monk. The monk’s name was Gautam-swami, who was bare-foot and bald and was out getting alms (food). Aimutta ran to him and invited him to come to his palace to get food, which would make his mother and him happy. Gautam-swami agreed and they left to go to the palace. Aimutta's mother, Queen Shrimati was standing in the balcony overlooking the garden. She saw Gautam-swami and Aimutta coming to her palace. She was very happy and came down to receive Gautam-swami. She welcomed him with full devotion and said, "Matthaena Vandami (my salutation to you).” She introduced Gautam-swami as a staunch disciple of Lord Mahaveera to Aimutta. She asked Aimutta to go and get his favorite food to offer to Gautam-swami. Aimutta brought ladoos and started putting them in a pot even though Gautam-swami said he didn't need that many. Aimutta was very happy offering food to the monk. As Gautam-swami started leaving, Aimutta said, "Your bag is heavy, let me carry it for you." Gautam-swami said, "Aimutta, I can not give it to you, because it can only be carried by those who have taken Diksha." Aimutta asked, "What is Diksha?" Gautam Swami explained to him that when someone takes a vow of Diksha, he renounces the worldly life, his house, family, and all other social and economical ties. Then he becomes a monk. People take Diksha to avoid accumulation of bad karma. In normal every day living, people are involved in various activities all of the time which causes one to accumulate karmas. On the other hand, a monk does not do those things. Thus monks and nuns can avoid most of the activities of householders, and therefore avoid accumulating these karmas. Aimutta became curious and asked, "Gurudev, you do not do sins! But don't you need to eat? Don't you need a place to live? All these cause sins (i.e. pap karmas)." Gautam-swami was pleased with the child's interest to learn more. So he explained, "We take food, but we do not accept food, which is made especially for us. We stay in a place, but we do not own it and, we do not stay there for more than a few days. We do not keep money and we do not take part in business or any organizations. This way as a monk we do not have to do any activity, that causes sins. Aimutta said, "Gurudev, in that case, I want to take Diksha." Aimutta and Gautam-swami walked to a place where Lord Mahaveera was giving sermon. Aimutta joined others to listen to his teachings. In that sermon, Aimutta learned what life is all about and what one can do if he or she wants to be relieved of these worldly sufferings. Aimutta again expressed his desire to accept Diksha to Lord Mahaveera. Lord Mahaveera said, "We can not give you Diksha without your parents' permission.” Aimutta replied, "That is easy, I will go home and get their permission and come back." So, Aimutta went home. He told his mother, "Mom, I want to take Diksha. Remember you used to say that our social life is full of violence and causes sins? Gautam-swami and Lord Mahaveera also said the same. I want to be free of sins. Therefore, please give me permission to take Diksha." Aimutta's mother was surprised by his words. She was happy in her mind for his fear of sins and his desire to take Diksha, because she was also a religious woman. But she wanted to be sure that Aimutta understood what "taking Diksha" meant. So she said, "My son, to take Diksha is not a joke. It is a very hard and disciplined life. You will not have mother or father to take care of you. How will you be able to handle such suffering?" Aimutta said, "Mother, this social life also has a lot of sufferings. At least we know that as a monk the sufferings will help destroy the karmas and lead to salvation." His mother was very happy to hear this. But she wanted to test Aimutta’s determination some more. She said, "Son, why are you in such a hurry? Wait for sometime. You need to take care of us when we get old and you will have your own family too." Aimutta said, "Mother, I learned from Lord Mahaveera that no one is young and no one is old. I also learned that no one knows what is going to happen tomorrow. No one knows who will die first or last. So why wait and miss this opportunity which is available to me today?” His mother felt very happy that her son fully understood what Diksha meant and what his desire was. She said, "Congratulations my son. I am very proud of you. You will be a good monk. Do not forget that your goal is to attain salvation and be sure to observe ahimsa (nonviolence) throughout your life. I give you permission to take Diksha." Aimutta said, "Thank you, Mom. I will remember your advice." Aimutta's mother blessed him and wished him success in his new life. She also helped to get permission from his father, King Vijay. After a few days, he took Diksha and became a monk called "Balmuni (young monk) Aimutta." One day while coming back from outside, Balmuni Aimutta saw some children playing in a water puddle with a paper boat. He became excited about playing and forgot that as a monk he can not play with water. So he ran towards the kids, and asked if he could play with them. The kids also became excited for a monk to play with them, and said, "Yes.” He took the lid off the pot that he had and started playing with it as if it were a boat. He said, "Look, my boat is also sailing.” Meanwhile other monks came there and saw him playing with water. They came to him and said, "Balmuni, what are you doing? Did you forget that as a monk you could not play with water? By playing with water, we cause harm to many water bodied souls. We have taken a vow not to hurt any living being. This is very bad. You have violated your vow and accumulated sins." Balmuni Aimutta realized his mistake. He immediately started repenting, "Oh! What have I done? I promised my mother that I would not do any sinful activity. How sinful I am? How nice these monks are to remind me of my mistake! What would have happened if these monks had not seen me?” He was truly regretful for what he did. He left with the other monks. Every monk has to recite the Iriyavahiyam Sutra after they come back to their place from outside. So Balmuni also recited this sutra. When he came to the part, "Panakkamne, Beeyakkamne,Hariyakkamane,Osauttinga Panag-Daga-Matti, (if I have hurt any living beings of water, green grass, clay, then I am asking for forgiveness)" his repentance had no bound. He was very sorry for what he had done. He began thinking, "What did I do? I have hurt so many living beings. How can I be free of these sins? How will I face Lord Mahaveera? Oh living beings, I have caused harm to you. Please forgive me of my sins. I will never commit these sins again.” Because of his sincere repentance, all of his bad karmas were destroyed and he attained Kevaljnan (omniscience or perfect knowledge). He became Kevali. After this, Kevali Aimutta Muni went to Lord Mahaveera’s assembly and started walking towards other Kevalis. Some senior Munis noticed this and told him, "Oh, Aimutta!! Where are you going? That is the place for Kevalis to sit. Come over here where the other monks are sitting." Lord Mahaveera interrupted them and said, "Monks, you should not insult a Kevali. Aimutta Muni is no ordinary monk now. While reciting Iriyavahiyam Sutra, he destroyed all of his Ghati (destructive) karmas, and became a Kevali." The monks realized their mistakes, bowed down to him and thought, "There is no age barrier to be a Kevali." After death Balmuni Aimutta attained salvation. Key Message: The pursuit and understanding of Jainism has no age limit but is rather driven by one's own true faith, understanding and passion to learn the principles of Jainism. All of us make mistakes, which causes karmas. Mistakes can be intentional or unintentional. It is possible that karmas, which result from unintentional mistakes, can be eliminated by true and sincere repentance. One should not intentionally make a mistake knowing that they plan to repent later. Such repentance will be in vain since it is not true or sincere. AIMUTTA muni playing with its patra