Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c14.t1.28

c14.t1.28

The Nāyādhammakahā gives a description of the renouncement of prince Meghakumāra. After listening to the preachings of Mahāvīra, Meghakumāra returned home and requested his parents to allow him to enter the order of the Teacher. When the mother of Meghakumāra heard this, she was overcome by grief and became unconscious. Meghakumāra’s parents tried to dissuade him by various ways but he showed his stern determination towards renunciation. Then a sweeping duster (rayoharana) and a bowl (padiggaha) were bought from the shop (kutṭiyā-vana) and a barber (kāsāvaya) was called for hair-cutting. Then Meghakumāra was given a bath, his body was anointed with gosīsa sandal and was beautifully dressed and ornamented. He sat in the palanquin with his mother on the right and his foster-mother with a sweeping duster and a bowl on the left. Meghakumāra arrived at the Gunasīlaya shrine where he was presented to Mahāvīra to be initiated as his disciple. Then the prince with his own hands plucked out his hair in five handfuls and approached Mahāvīra and walking round him thrice praised and worshipped him. Mahāvīra admitted the prince into the order and preached him the law showing him how he should walk, stand, sit, lie, feed, speak, show forbearance towards living beings and pursue the path without negligence¹⁹.