Page 5 - Jain Jyotirdhar Chitra Darshan

[5] MEGH KUMAR
(Kind to all Creatures)

(1) Megh Kumar, the son of King Shrenik was an elephant
in his previous birth and lived in a forest. With the sense of
fear of forest fires, the elephant cleared ants, grass and
trees. Unfortunately, one day a fire broke out in the forest.
The elephant reached that place and all the other animals
also took shelter in that ground area. It got very crowded.
The elephant raised his leg to scratch his body at that very
moment a rabbit took refuge in the space where the
elephant’s leg was. To save the rabbit, the elephant kept
his leg up in the air and balanced his body on three legs
for two and a half days continuously. (2) When the fire
subsided and all the animals left, the elephant tried to put
his leg down but it was so numb that he couldn’t balance
himself and fell. He died of pain and starvation. (3) Due to
the fruits of kindness towards the rabbit, in its next birth, the
elephant took birth as Prince Megh Kumar. After listening
to the sermons of God Mahavir, he decided to renounce
the world. King Shrenik offered him crown, at once Megh
Kumar asked for, Rajoharan- (a means for protecting
leaving creatures), Patra (begging bowls) and Monk’s
robes (4) He left his palace, kingdom, and all his worldly
pleasures and God Mahavir gave him Diksha (monkshood).
(5) When he learnt about his previous birth of elephant and
its kindness from God Mahavir, he was inspired and gave
up all the attachment for his body. He went on Anshan (to
fast without food and water until death). (6) With highly
virtuous mental state, his soul left his body and became
Deity in Anuttar heaven, the highest heavenly kingdom.
Salutes to Megh Kumar.