Page 3 - Jain Jyotirdhar Chitra Darshan

[3] DHANNA (KAKANDI)
(Renunciation and Penance)

(1) Dhanyakumar, the son of Bhadra due to his good
deeds in his past life, was born in Kakandi and was owner
of 320 million Gold pallets. With the blessing of mother, he
was leading a luxurious life happily with his 32 wives. (2)
One day after listening to the sermons of God Mahavir,
Dhannaji decided to renounce world and became a monk.
Thereafter he started fasting until death. (Two fasts
followed by Ayambil followed by fasts for two days.) What a
fortune! Though he enjoyed luxurious life but he had no
attachment in such riches and he had no trouble in leaving
behind such riches & worldly pleasures and his 32 wives at
one stroke. He also gave up attachment for his body rather
easily. (3) Even on the 3rd day of the week, when he ate,
he ate undernourished, unpalatable and tasteless food
(even flies would not like to sit on that food.) (4) Within 8
months, Dhanna’s body was dried up by fasting. (5)
Replying to King Shrenik, God Mahavir told that
Dhanyakumar was one of the great in 14,000 monks who
is always progressing on the spiritual path. The King
immediately went to the Hill to pay his respects to
Dhannaji. The real wealth of the soul is renunciation and
penance and before whom even the Kings and heavenly
Deities bow their head. Dhannaji fasted for a month on the
mount Vaibhavgiri and left for heavenly abode
(Anuttarviman). Bravo to Dhannaji and immense praises to
his severe penance and detachment towards the material
world !!!