Way of Life Part 2

SR No.: 006514
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 362
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 18 MB

Page 277

DISCOURSE 42
well the relativity of doctrines. She desired to refuse and break her father's pride that he was the doer; along with that she wanted to make him understand the supreme truth. She was not afraid of displeasing her father if he happened to be displeased when she tried to explain the supreme truth, "If my father is displeased with me I will lose my happiness;" she had no such fear in her mind. The king was greatly displeased but Mayanasundari did not give up her faith in doctrines. The king became agitated. He thought of teaching a lesson to Mayanasundari; and one day he sent for a wandering leper to his court and said to his daughter, "Your Karma has brought this husband for you, marry him".
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Mayanasundari heard, calmly what her father said. She did not show any reaction. That means, she did not reject the proposal. She did not become angry. She did not feel depressed and she did not lament over her misfortune. With boundless patience, she accepted that leper as her husband.
The princess had to marry a leper. Was this a small misfortune? Was it an ordinary calamity? Yet Mayanasundari did not feel miserable. She did not experience any regret or sorrow. When you hear this episode do you feel like admiring Mayanasundari's composure and firmness. Do you feel like singing the glory of Mayanasundari ? If so, you may think that the fourth ordinary principle has entered your life and that you are an admirer of the greatness of noble people.
Noble and cultured people do not feel depressed in adversities. On the contrary, they accept adversities cheerfully. When Mayanasundari was passing through the main road of Ujjiani with her husband who was a leper, the people of the city seriously condemned her and they also condemned Jain Dharma. Even this is a great calamity. Mayanasundari heard with calmness and patience the bitter words of people when they condemned her. Of course, she was certainly sad when the people were condemning the Dharma and it was natural that she should feel sad in that situation. That sorrow was not an indication of her own distress or depression. It was born out of her love for Dharma.