Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c20.s3.40

c20.s3.40

About Abhaya, it is said that once he asked Mahāvīra, "who will be the last royal sage." The latter declared "The last royal saint is king Uddāyaṇa and after him the crowned kings will not take a vow." Thereupon, prince Abhaya, fearing that his taking a vow would be impeded, refused to accept the throne. Once king Seniya went with queen Cellaṇā to worship Mahāvīra. When they were coming back, queen Cellaṇā saw a great hermit standing in a meditation and enduring the torture of cold. The queen felt very sorry for the hermit. She went and slept at night in her bed. In course of the night, her hand slipped out of her blanket and became cold. She was immediately reminded of the hermit and wondered how would he get through the night. The king heard her speech and became doubtful about her chastity. Next morning Seniya ordered Abhaya to burn down the harem, and himself went to Mahāvīra to ask whether queen Cellaṇā was the wife of one or many. Mahāvīra replied that she was devoted to only one husband and he explained what had happened. The king returned to the palace full of remorse. In the meantime, prince Abhaya set on fire an empty elephant stable and went to worship the Jina. Later on, Abhaya renounced the world and joined the order, and Seniya made up his mind to give the kingdom to Kūṇiya.²⁶