When the Charm of the Woman Failed - The Story the Great Jain Monk Sthulibhadra

1. 5/16/2012
WHEN THE CHARM OF THE WOMAN FAILED : THE
JAIN STORY THE GREAT JAIN MONK STHULIBHADRA
Life of the great Jain Monk Sthuli Bhadra | Dr. T.K. Jain,
jain.tk@gmail.com

2. WHEN THE CHARM OF THE
WOMAN FAILED : THE STORY
THE GREAT JAIN MONK
STHULIBHADRA
BY :
DR. T.K. JAIN
PARAKH NIWAS
SHIVAKAMU VETERINARY HOSPITAL
ROAD
BIKANER 334001
MOBILE : 9414430763

3. There are many stories in Jain literature. These stories were known to
every Jain person earlier, but now these are getting limited to books
and libraries. These stories have a message hidden in them. The
message is about self control, self regulation and ultimate goal of life.
These stories also tell us about the rich tradition of Jain Saints, which
can certainly inspire the next generations to lead a life of principles and
commitments. One such story is presented here for the guidance of the
younger generations. I heard this story from my mother. My cousin Sri
Lalit Nahata even started a newsletter on the great saint Sthulibhadra. I
am sure that similar initiatives will spread the great ideas further.
Nothing is more difficult to avoid than the charm that a woman carries.
Nothing is more difficult to conquer than one’s own emotions and
temptations. Nothing is more difficult to challenge than to challenge
one’s own image. Nothing is more difficult to follow than to follow
one’s own vows which have not yet be tested out.
Life creates its own trainings and its own ups and downs. The biggest
turnaround is not converting your loss making unit into a profit making
unit, but the biggest turnaround is when you see a U turn in the life of
people just due to change in the goal of life. Can you believe that a
decoit can turn into the greatest of all saints - read the story of Valmiki.
Can you believe that the most knowledgeable persons can also fail
against the charm of a woman and loose everything – read the story of
Ravana. We have many inspiring stories spread out in Indian sub-
continent, which tell you about correct and incorrect method of taking
decisions and what can be the most difficult moment in the life of a
person.

4. Sthulibhadra is one of the greatest saints from India. His story is an
inpriational story for the young persons as the story tells you about the
importance of commitment to vows, self-restraint, concentration on
goals and the most important -- the power of true spirituality.
Patliputra (close to modern Patna in Bihar State) city was capital of
champa state. Sthulibhadra’s father was minister of Champa. When
he died at Patliputa, the living of Champa offered the post of minister
to one of his sons, called Shriyak. But Shriya ka suggested that the post
should be offered to his elder brother SthuliBhadra. The life of
Sthulibhadra took a U turn from this moment. While till this time, he
had spent his time in romance and in other youthful sports, now takes
the birth of the great saint. Sthulibhadra was contemplating on the life
and its utility. The untimely death of his father shook him and forced
him to look at life from ontological perspective. He was thinking on
fundamental questions – what is the purpose of life, why have we come
to the world, why should we spend our time in wasting here and there,
what is the ultimate goal for us, how can we liberate from the cycle of
birth and death etc. Meanwhile, the king asked where Sthuli Bhadra
was; and Shrivak inform that all last 12 years, he had been living at a
courtesan’s house. Sthuli Bhadra asked to take this position. In the
beginning he asked for some time to think, but after wards he refused
to accept the post of minister. He said that such lucrative and tempting
position can definitely bring him hell only. He therefore decided to
become a monk. He himself plucked out his hairs in five handful and
declared that he wants to join the Jain monk order. However, the king
was doubtful about Sthuli Bhadra ’s intention (because over the
period, his image was built as a lascivious person) , but he himself
verified that instead of going to the place of courtesan, he went to

5. renounce the world. Shriyak was appointed as minister. Sthuli Bhadra
practiced severe austerely at the foot of famous sage Sambhut
Vijayjee. Sambut Vijayjee had two more disciples, besides Sthuli Bhadr.
As per Jain traditions, a saint cannot travel during four months of
mansoon (as during this period lots of insects travel through roads and
walking on roads means killing insects, therefore, the Jain Saints spend
these four months of Mansoon in a city only and don’t move out of the
city. One of the three saints preferred to stay in a lion’s cave. The other
one preferred to stay near the hole where most poisonous snake was
staying. Both the furious lion and poisonous snake became friendly with
the monks and did no harm to them. At that time, the Jain Saints could
build an aura around themselves (leshya) which could calm any furious
person or animal. They had the capability to give calmness to any
person or animal. It is shocking that such vital arts and capabilities have
disappeared. There are many instances of similar situations.
Sthuli Bhadra preferred to spend his mansoon period (four months) at
the residence of the same courtesan with whom he was staying
previously. She was happy to receive Sthuli Bhadr a back home- Sthuli
Bhadra explained to her that he had now become a monk. He saught
only a small place to live. The courtesan tried to attract him is many
ways; but Sthuli Bhadra was firm. The courtesan realised that her
efforts will bring her no results; so she gave up and requested Sthuli
Bhadra to give her religious instructions. Finally, she accepted the
philosophy of Jainism and became a Shravika. After a successful
completion of 4 months monsoon, all thee monks came back to their
Guru Sambhunt Vijayjee. The guru received them well and appreciated
their boldness and firmness. He made special appreciation for Sthuli

6. Bhadra, which made both other disciples jealous. They felt that the
Guru was making a preferential treatment to Sthuli Bhadra. They
however did not speak, but their displeasure was obviously seen. In
the next monsoon, one of the monks who had spent 4 months in the
lion’s cave, preferred to go to the courtesan’s house for this monsoon.
The Guru tried to warn him, but he was confident of his strength. The
Guru consented and he went to the courtesan’s house. Here after
sometime, he got attracted to the courtesan’s charm and beauty. He
requester her for her favor; but she did not respond. More she refused;
more the monk was attracted to her. Now to test him, the courtesan
placed a condition before a monk that if he gives her huge amount of
money, she would consider his request. The monk therefore moved out
in search of huge amount of money. Somebody informed the monk t
hat if visits a Nepal; he will get a precious blanket from there, and
would get huge amount of money. He went to Nepal and begged for a
blanket. After getting blanket, he returned; but on way some robbers
came to rob him. With great efforts only, he could save his life and the
same blanket. Later he saw a dancer dancing on a bamboo. A lady was
telling the dance to focus on the bamboo and not to see here and there
as the dancer was about to complete the dance. That was the moment,
when the monk got a message that he had spent entire life as monk
and now at the feg end, he was getting distracted. When he returned
home and presented the precious blanket to the courtesan she said
that both the blanket and the monk were worthless to her. The monk
realized that he had deviated from the right path. He approached his
Guru and apologized and narrated the whole story, Guru immediately
said that by now he must have realized why Sthuli Bhadra was
considered better and was appreciated for his great firmness. The

7. monk realized this. Later the Guru gave knowledge of 10 Purvas to
Sthulibhadra. Sthulibhadra could now transform his shape. Once his
sisters (from his original family) came to meet him. Sthulibhadra
transformed his shape to that of a lion. The two sisters got worried and
rushed to the guru and said that Sthulibhadra has been killed by a lion.
The Guru understood the facts and asked the sisters to go again and
assured them that Sthulibhadra was safe. When they again came, they
found SThulibhadra. On this incident, the Guru didn’t like the conduct
of Sthulibhadra. He warned him that the spiritual powers were not for
display. He refused to grant further knowledge. He did provide
knowledge of remaining four purvas to Sthulibhadra, but he told that
these powers cannot be transferred further. He was apprehensive of
misuse of the powers. Thus the most of the powers were not
transferred further.
Still Sthulibhadra is considered one of the greatest saints in Jain history
for his firmness, his determination and his capabilities. You can read
stories on him, which are regularly published in Sthulibhadra Times
(published by Sri Lalit Nahata from Delhi).
The life of Sthulibhadra gives us many inspirational ideas. It depends on
us what we absorb and transmit to our next generations.