Page 9 - Jain Jyotirdhar Chitra Darshan

[9] MONK STHULIBHADRAJI
(Conquer of Lust)

(1) Sthulibhadra was offered ministerial ring by King Nand to
become a Minister, though he stayed for 12 years with a
prostitute named Kosha. He said,“I will think over and take it.”
“Think here only!” said the King. (2) Sthulibhadra thought,
being a minister would mean entangled in worldly bondages
and therefore decided to decline the offer and renounced the
world to become a monk. (3) Conveying Dharmalabh
(blessings of Jain monk) Sthulibhadra left. The King tested
Monk Sthulibhadra. But the King was astonished to see the
detachment. Sthulibhadra ceremoniously took Diksha from
Guru Arya Sambhuti.(4) He studied 14 Purvas under the
guidance of Bhadrabahu Swami. With Guru’s permission, he
decided to go and stay for four months of monsoon
(Chaturmas) to the palace of the prostitute Kosha to conquer
lust. The prostitute lured him with sensual music, dance and
food, but she was ultimately dejected. (5) Seeing the
determination of penance, the prostitute heard his sermon and
decided to undertake 12 Vratas (oaths) of Shravika (woman
follower of Jain religion). (6). One Monk fasted (without food
and water) for 4 months of the monsoon at the mouth of a
den of a ferocious lion. (7) One Monk fasted 4 months of the
monsoon outside the hole of a vicious and poisonous snake.
(8) One Monk fasted for 4 months of the monsoon on the edge
of the well. (9) When all these 4 monks came back after their
four months rigorous religious activity, the Guru greeted the
three monks calling their work Dushkar karak (performers of
difficult tasks) and monk Sthulibhadra as Dushkar Dushkar
karak. (performer of the most difficult tasks). Infinite salutes to
the monk Sthulibhadra whose name would remain immortal
for 84 Chovisi (1 Chovisi = era of 24 Tirthankars -Gods).