Sadhvi Vishrut Vibha
Firm Determination
A king named Balbhadra ruled over Sugriva Nagar. Mrigavati was his queen and they had a son named Balshree. When Balshree grew up, he become famous as Mrigaputra. In due course, he got married. One day, while was enjoying himself with his wife, he looked out of the window and saw some people approaching. All of a sudden, his eyes fell upon a monk, strolling on the highway. This scene seemed to remain him of something, so he was compelled to think deeply. He wondered, concentration, he obtained the knowledge of his previous birth, in which he had been, a monk. Now he started visualization the incident of his past life. This fact resulted in a feeling of detachment and he became eager to renounce worldly life. Then, he went to his parents to seek their permission. He said to them, “I want to take initiation. This body is immortal and filled with impurities. It is destined to perish. This body is merely a vessel of miseries. Birth is sorrow, old age is sorrow too, and so are diseases and death. As a matter of fact, the whole world is full of miseries.”
His tried to dissuade him by introducing him to the hardships of monkhood. They said, “It is difficult to practice the restrains of monkhood. They have to follow five great vows (Mahavratas), which are non-violence, truth, non- stealing, celibacy and non-possession of any materialistic thing. They neither eat nor drink before sunrise and after sunset.” They further added, “The burden of monkhood is heavier than iron weight which has to borne throughout life without resting, even for a moment. It is very difficult to sustain all this throughout one’s life. They further said, “The life of a monk is tasteless like a mouthful of sand and the penance they practice is like walking on the sharpened edges of a sword. These and even much more are the difficulties have to endure.”
Thus, a form of debate took place between them. The parents wanted him to lead a worldly life but he was determined to renounce everything an accept monkhood. Finally, the parents gave up saying, “Son, if you ant to become a monk, you may do so, you should know the fact that if a monk fall ill, he is not liable to get any treatment for that diseases even if it is very painful.” Hearing all this, Mrigaputra said, “I agree that a monk’s life is really very difficult, but tell me, who looks after ailing beasts and birds living in the forest? Who provides food and water to them? They satisfied their hunger and thirsty by eating grass and drinking water, they go about freely in the company of their own herd. Likewise, by accepting monkhood, I will be able to roam freely like a dear in the forest and shall attain emancipation which is the ultimate goal of the monk.
Finally, Mrigaputra succeeded in convincing his parents. He renounced and abandoned all kinds of attachment and affection, like a snake who caste off his skin and become a monk. He observed monkhood carefully and achieved emancipation.
A person, who is firmly determined, will reach his destination definitely.
