The monsoon winds blowing through the sandalwood orchard spread fragrance in Ashok Park.
Brahmadutt entered with Pingal and other close ones.
Taking Gurudev’s permission, they went close to him and worshipped him devotedly. Gurudev gave blessings of ‘Dharmlabh.’
Brahmadutt said, “You did a huge favour on us yesterday. It is neither possible to forget your obligation in this life nor in the lives ahead. You have opened our eyes and transformed our hearts with your knowledge.
Gurudev, an aspiration to transform our lives to some extent has emerged within us. Although the aspiration like Shikhi to renounce home and become a monk doesn’t emerge yet! But I wish to change my lifestyle as a householder. I wish to minimise sins as much as possible and connect with spirituality.
Lord, you are compassionate, you have to uplift my soul.”
Brahmadutt’s eyes turned moist. Gurudev placed his hand on Brahmadutt’s head. Brahmadutt’s heart filled with immense gratitude.
Self-introspecting throughout nights, Pingal had become a firm believer. A sense of gratitude emerged in his mind towards Acharyaji. Till now, he was an atheist. But only half of his life was over, and he had resolved to make his remaining half worthy. Acharyaji was engraved as a wise, detached and an ideal man in Pingal’s mind. That day, even he had come with devotion, willing to accept the vows of a householder. Debates and arguments had come to an end. His heart had filled with emotions. He worshipped Acharyaji and expressed his feelings.
“O compassionate Gurudev!
Just like the sun has risen now, and will set in no time; even this life will fade in the blink of an eye. This soul will fly away on its journey to afterlife! On which branch will it halt, who knows what will happen? Before that, please guide the path through which this soul can experience satisfaction and fearlessness. I neither have the capacity to follow the footsteps of Shikhi nor such strength. Please tell me whatever can be done as a householder!”
Acharyaji explained the twelve vows of householders to Brahmadutt and Pingal. Both of them accepted those vows.
“Gurudev, today we are feeling blessed on accepting the teachings of Tirthankar righteously. Our joy is indescribable. It seems like our actual life has begun from today.”
Shikhi, who was in silence till now, said in a melodious voice, “Father, I anyway had a lot of affection towards you. You have done a lot of favour on me. Yet, today I got the opportunity to view and understand your inner world closely. How emotional are you! Today, I realised how sensitive of a person and a firm believer you are. Despite being the leading minister of a vast empire, there is neither any ego nor any sort of insistence or prejudice. You are a treasure of virtues. You have accepted the vows of householder and brought a great transformation in your life today. I heartily bow down at your feet." Shikhi bowed at his father’s feet.
Then he bowed down to Pingal and said, “O fatherly Brahmin! This transformation of yours will not only give utmost satisfaction to your heart, but also fill my mind with the same. I have seen and heard you debate in Rajya Sabha. Till date, no foreign scholar has achieved victory in the court of Koshambi. Many learned scholars have been badly defeated by you. And today? I have been impressed by your acceptance of truth and simplicity. Your head bowed in front of Acharyaji’s wisdom. The radiance of his monkhood illuminated your heart. Your transformation will be observed in every street of Koshambi. Silence will take over Rajya Sabha. ‘A great atheist has devoted everything at the feet of spirituality.’ This news will reach the borders of the state. As a result of your transformation, thousands of men and women of the state will accept teachings of the enlightened and make their lives meaningful.
Now, both of you give me your consent to accept monkhood and make efforts to free my soul from the bondage of infinite karmas.”
Hearing the sweet words of Shikhi, Pingal filled with affection. He hugged Shikhi and showered his head with tears.
Brahmadutt said in a gleeful voice, “Son, the path of monkhood described by Acharyaji is indeed the most ideal path. This physical world is really full of grief & struggle. But I want to ask Acharyaji whether you have the capability to follow such a tough lifestyle. Shikhi, Gurudev is intellectual. He can figure out our strength & capacity very well. If he feels you have the potential, then I won’t obstruct your path. I will bid you farewell with an affectionate heart.”
Father and son turned their eyes towards Gurudev.
A smile appeared on Gurudev’s face.
He said, “Brahmadutt, you have taken a great decision. Though the decision is auspicious and beneficial, yet man should have the capability to take it. He should have the ability to complete the task. Most people in this world are expert starters, but they are not able to accomplish the task. Their enthusiasm fades and they leave the work incomplete. You are an experienced man, you have seen such people in this world. So it is natural to be cautious or alert for Shikhi.
But Shikhi has the sharpness to understand the concepts of Tirthankar. He has strong faith in the teachings of Tirthankar. He is completely devoted towards Guru. He has the potential to accept monkhood and observe it flawlessly. It is not appropriate to reveal his qualities in his presence. Still, I am saying all this so that he understands my opinion & expectation, and stays alert to prove his capability.
I have explained him very well how difficult it is to follow monkhood. I have told him how monks have to endure hardships with internal balance and stability. He very well knows that comfort and facilities are dangerous in monkhood. He has listened to all this carefully and taken an unshakable resolution to follow them. This resolution of his will remain unbroken throughout his life.
Brahmadutt was convinced.
He said to Gurudev, “Gurudev, I give consent to grant monkhood to Shikhi. But I will keep an eight day celebration in the city. I will donate to the poor and orphans through Shikhi’s hands. And on the eighth day, I will dedicate Shikhi at your feet. Now, you give us permission to take Shikhi with us to the city.”
“Your wish is auspicious.”
Brahmadutt and Pingal left Ashokvan with Shikhi. They sat in the carriage and headed towards their mansion.
‘Minister Brahmadutt’s son, Shikhi has attained self-realisation, he will renounce home and accept monkhood under Acharya Vijaysinh. Tomorrow, King Ajitsen himself will greet Shikhi in his court. So, he has ordered all the citizens to be present there.’ Royal men were beating drums and announcing on the streets of Koshambi. People were hearing the announcement and getting stunned. Everyone were expressing their opinions and suggestions.
Indrasharma, the minister of the state and Shikhi’s maternal grandfather, said to his daughter, Jalini, “Daughter, have you heard the announcement of the state?”
“Yes, father.”
“Your son is renouncing home.”
“Yes, I have heard this.”
“He is going to accept monkhood.”
“I heard that too.”
“Tomorrow, the king himself is going to greet him in the court.”
“Let him!”
“Won’t you come with me to the king’s court?”
“No, father. I won’t come. I don’t even want to see his face.”
“Jalini, come what may, he is your son after all. I don’t understand why do you dislike such a virtuous and charming son. I have seen Shikhi, talked to him. He has always shown respect towards you. Now, when he is renouncing all worldly pleasures at such a young age, your heart should become soft for him!”
“That is not possible, father!”
“But why?”
“I don't have any affection towards him. There is mere distance. It is impossible for me to go see him.”
“Jalini, you should also go to your house for the sake of society. You should bid farewell to your son.
You are the minister’s wife after all. You too should follow the conduct of your house.”
“Father, when I came back to your house, I had said that I won’t return until my wicked son would be there. Even today, my decision is the same.”
“Your son is renouncing home now.”
“I'll go after he leaves!”
“He had already left. Brahmadutt brought him back!”
“Alright, his son is more affectionate than me. So let him bring his son and keep him! Has he ever come to pick me in so many years? He can stay without me but not his son!”
“You too can stay without your husband, can’t you? Is there place in your heart for your husband? Analyse yourself! I have never told you anything till date. But today, I also want to tell you something. You are the wife of a popular minister like Brahmadutt. Where is the affection towards him in your heart either? There is no admiration for your son. Moreover, you behave as if there is no relation left even with your husband. And what if you go home after Shikhi accepts monkhood and Brahmadutt does not allow you to enter the house? Will you stay here at my house for the rest of your life? You will be severely criticised in the city and among relatives! You will also make us feel ashamed.” Indrasharma’s anger broke out!
Jalini’s mother, Shubhankara calmed him.
Jalini went to her room crying. Indrasharma went out of the mansion. His mind was nostalgic. Jalini was adorable to him. However, he was quite upset due to her unconventional and short tempered nature. She was not ready to give up on her stubbornness.
***
Koshambi was a glorious city. It spread upto 240 kilometres in length and 120 kilometres in breadth. The city had four gates, as tall as skyscrapers. Those gates looked like white clouds. The mansions and temples of Koshambi were like the monsoon clouds; they created illusions of various shapes and designs. King Ajitsen’s palace was built on one hundred pillars. Its beauty seemed delightful like a sparkling crystal. The king had adorned the palace with gems as per his feeling of desire and luxury.
Shikhi entered the palace with Brahmadutt. Royal women gave them a warm welcome. All the people present there exclaimed joyfully.
Entering the palace, Shikhi bowed down at the feet of King Ajitsen. The king showered affection and made him sit beside him.
Shikhi was welcomed with music and dance.
The king began his speech in an intense tone,
“My dear folks!
A unique occasion has sprung up in the city of Koshambi today. Minister Brahmadutt’s son, Shikhi has been eager to renounce home and accept monkhood. His mind has become detached from worldly pleasures. He has realised that wealth lacks essence unlike the path of salvation. It is not an ordinary matter to give up materialistic pleasures in youth. Shikhi has charm, good qualities, youth, huge amount of wealth and splendour! Even after having everything, he found it all unworthy. Only monkhood has seemed worthy to him!
Indeed, he has glorified his family’s dignity. He has also enriched the spiritual culture of my state. I give him a million wishes – Shikhi, you are accepting monkhood like a mighty lion. Follow it with great valour. May your soul attain its supreme state. May you attain perfection and real happiness.”
The king took removed his necklace of nine rubies and put it around Shikhi’s neck. Shikhi stood up, bowed to the king and began his brief speech.
“Folk-loving king and virtuous citizens of Koshambi,
I received the touch of Paras stone by the great intellectual, Acharya Vijaysinh in Ashokvan. And my iron-like soul turned into gold. All thanks to Gurudev! The king has done a lot of favour on our family. He is like a father to me. I feel blessed to have received his wishes!
Monkhood as preached by the enlightened, is the only way to uplift the soul. I wish all of you follow those teachings as much as possible and attain the tradition of welfare!”
Then many people showered Shikhi with congratulations and drenched him in it.
