Page 103 - Faith Personified

it is sure to steal away your precious time of exercising the all-
time beneficial and supreme religion preached by Lord
Mahavira.

Sthoolabhadraji* initially thought that —-

1) If I accept the position of ministership offered by the
King, then its responsibilities are sure to demand time
which will affect the leisure time spent with Kosha (A
beautiful prostitute). His thought process did not stop
here. He further thought.

2) Arre! Because of the unquenching thirst for sensual
pleasures with Kosha, I am losing out on the precious
time acquired in this human birth for spiritual progress.
Then why not forsake such worthless sensual pleasures
right now?

That’s it! He quit his material world and accepted
monkhood under the guidance of an able mentor.
This, too, was not the end.

3) Why to while away the precious moments of monkhood

by gossiping, glancing around and becoming lazy? Such
unnecessary acts steal away the precious human time
which can be utilized for increase in rightfaith,
knowledge and conduct. Thus, he forsake these
unnecessary acts and immersed himself in observing

* Sthoolabhadraji was the son of Shaktal, King Minister, who was
attracted to a beautiful prostitute, Kosha, so much so that he gave up
all social and family responsibilities and stayed at her place, enjoying
sensual pleasures for almost 12 years. On his father’s demise, the
King of the State offered him the position of the State Minister.

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