Page 20 - Jain Jyotirdhar Chitra Darshan

[20] NANDISHEN
(Server of the Monks)

(1) Nandishen was so ugly that not even one out of the
seven daughters of his maternal Uncle agreed to marry him.
(2) A Jain Monk saved him when he tried to commit suicide
due to his ugliness. Nandishen renounced the world and
vowed to fast for two days followed by Ayambil & fast for two
days again and to look after other Monks till death. To test
this quality of Nandishen, two Deities came down in disguise
as Monks. One of the Monk contemptuously told Nandishen
to look after the weak Monk (second Disguised Deity).
Nandishen goes there. (3) The weak Monk rebuked
Nandishen. Nandishen cleaned his urine and excreta and
made the Monk to sit on his back. (4) While carrying the
monk on his back, Nandishen walked slowly so as not to
hurt the Monk. The Monk often urinated and excreted on his
back, yet, Nandishen bore it gracefully with patience. (5)
Both the Deities, who were disguised as Monks, appeared
before him and apologized and praised Nandishen. (6)
Nandishen undertook Anshan (fast until death) and did
Niyana (Strong desire for worldly wishes other than
Moksha) to become (Stree Vallabh- Liked by many women)
and left for his heavenly abode. He became Krishna's father
Vasudev and attained Moksha.