Shrimad Yashovijayji Upadhyay
23. The Great Final Departure And The Grand Procession For Initiation
At the end of the year which was marked by magnificent munificence, prince Vardhamana had attained perfect ‘Aparigrahatva’- Freedom from attachment for possession and was now fully prepared for the life of a monk. His elder brother made elaborate preparations for the initiation. There was great excitement and enthusiasm throughout the country also. Indra and all the gods also participated in the ceremony. Gold and silver pitchers, filled with water and earth from various holy places were kept ready. The prince was then anointed with perfumed pastes and bathed with holy waters. He was then dressed in royal garments and decked with precious ornaments. He was then carried in a palanquin, in a grand procession. The day was the tenth day of the dark half of Margasirsa (or Kartika). On this day, at an auspicious moment, Prince Vardhamana left the palace for ever. Indra and the other gods carried the palanquin on their shoulders. The procession progressed slowly through the huge crowd that had gathered to pay their homage to the prince.
