Page 73 - Desire to Disaster

To which the king replied, “In that case, o lord, please ask
your guru to stay back a few days on our behalf, and we shall
reach the neighbouring village in two days, for the purpose
of taking the major vows and becoming Jain ascetics.”

The King and Queen became Jain Ascetics
The king and queen got up, and prepared to take the major
vows of asceticism. They bowed respectfully to both the
monks and took their leave. They wound up all their worldly
duties in the next two days. The king placed his son on the
throne, and crowned him the king. They left their palace and
commenced their new lives.

Since they were the king and queen, their renunciation was
big news in their land and had a cascading effect. Many
others developed faith in Jainism. Several of their courtiers
and friends accompanied them when they left for the next
village, in order to attain the ascetic vows. The erstwhile
king and queen reached the next village, sought their guru’s
permission and blessings and took the major vows of Jain
asceticism with great delight and sincerity. They were no
longer king and queen. Now they were wandering ascetics.

Sunanda’s Asceticism

Now, the Sādhvī Sunanda felt deep regret for her own sins
as well as the sins she got Rupsen to commit. She had taken
the ascetic path in order to wash away her sins. She remained
alert 24 hours a day, to the possibility of a tiny living being
harmed by her. Her renunciation and penance were extreme.
She was absolutely obedient to her head nun. She served
her head nun most sincerely and also spent a great deal of
her time learning the scriptures. Her sincerity as a nun, her
commitment to her vows and her focus on atonement ensured
that she shed a great deal of the sinful karmas she had
accumulated because of her past actions. She now attained
Desire to Disaster 73