Yuvacharya Mahashraman
A Test For Initiation
Whenever there is a determination to do something, we can jump over any hurdle in life, and overcome it. When one wants to renounce the world, detachment and determination counts. A young boy can give up worldly pleasures if he has his heart set to it. On the other hand an old man may find it difficult if he is still attached to the material possessions.
The old story narrated here tells us about Acharya Tulsi. Acharya Tulsi got initiated at the age of twelve. Many Monks in Terapanth fold have been initiated at a young age of twelve or even less than that. Even now many boys get initiated at a young age.
On the last night before the initiation Tulsi ji was with his family. Everyone was very happy. They were enjoying his company. Tulsiji's elder brother who was a father like figure for him called him aside. He told Tulsiji that becoming a Sadhu or leading a life of a monk was not easy. There would be days when he would not get food to eat. So he tried to give Tulsi a-hundred-rupee note. He told him to hide the money in his book and use it whenever he needed it.
He told his brother one of the first vows of a Monk was that of non-possession.
It can be rightly said - Monks should not be attached to any thing. Attachment causes misery. It is the root cause of all trouble.
