LORD NEMINATH AND RAJIMATI
By the time of Mahabharat socio-political and religious conditions in India had deteriorated. Standards of restraints, monogamy etc. set up during Ramayan period had given way. Polygamy was almost the order of the day. Rulers and men of means used to marry as many wives as they could afford. Even the old people with grown up sons did not hesitate to marry young girls. There were also cases of polyandry. Rulers were getting powerful. They were maintaining large armies and used to wage wars for expanding their territories.
Jarasangh, the king of Magadh was the most powerful king. He was aspiring to become the lord of the entire Bharatkhand. Most of the other rulers vied with each other for his favor. There were also tyrant kings like Kans who could show utmost cruelty to the persons suspected of being against his interests. Hunting was the favorite pastime of warrior class and gambling was considered respectable game. Animals were sacrificed on the alter of religious rites and non-vegetarianism had become popular. It was the right time for a great saint to come forth and teach religion afresh.
Yadav clan had mostly settled on the bank of Yamuna. Mathura and Shauripuri in the present western UP were their major centers of concentration.
Yadav prince Samudravijay was ruling over Shauripuri. His wife’s name was Shivadevi. Lord Neminath was born to them sometime before Mahabharat and was named Nemikumar. When he was in the womb of his mother, she had dreamt of series of black jewels called Arishta. He is therefore also known as Arishtanemi. He was a cousin and close associate of Shri Krishna.
Under the leadership of Shri Krishna, Yadavs were challenging the authority of Jarasangh who was therefore planning to invade Mathura. Not being able to withstand his pressure, Yadavs migrated to Dwarka in Saurashtra. Nemikumar’s family also migrated with them to Dwarka.
Like Shri Krishna, Nemikumar too was dark complexioned, but handsome and charming. Many girls were attracted towards him. Nemikumar was however introvert and did not develop much attachment for the worldly life. He stayed more introspective as he was inclined towards spiritual life.
At that time, Ugrasen was the king of Junagadh which is situated at the foot of Mount Girnar in Saurashtra. By his wife Dharini he had a daughter who was named Rajimati. She was popularly known as Rajul. She grew to be a very beautiful and graceful young girl. Many princes and other promising youths were eager to marry her.
When she came to know of Nemikumar, she got enamored of him and desired to marry him. Ugrasen thereupon sent the offer of her marriage to Nemikumar. This was a welcome proposal for Yadav chiefs. With considerable efforts, friends and family members of Nemikumar therefore persuaded him to accept the offer. Every one was happy by his acceptance since Nemikumar and Rajul could make an ideal couple. The two were then officially engaged and a mutually convenient auspicious day was fixed for their wedding ceremony.
An elegantly decorated wedding party set off from Dwarka with the handsome Nemikumar as the bridegroom. Large number of people had joined the party because wedding ceremony was going to be gorgeous. Many of them were also keen to climb Mount Girnar. For king Ugrasen, wedding of his beloved daughter was a once in life time occasion. He had therefore made elaborate arrangements for making it as brilliant as possible.
On the way also, adequate arrangements were made for the fun and food of the bridegroom party. When the party came in the vicinity of Mount Girnar and camped on the outskirts of Junagadh. They were appropriately received by Ugrasen and leading men of the city. It was a fine day. Weather was pleasant and cool sweet wind was blowing from Girnar. Every one on either side was in rejoicing mood and was eager to watch the longed for wedding ceremony. Instructions were given for preparing tasty and delicious food for feasting of the bridegroom party.
Nemikumar too was in the pleasant mood. He was getting ready for the wedding ceremony. All of a sudden he heard some frightful shrieks and crying sounds. On inquiring, he learnt that it was emanating from birds and animals that were being slaughtered for feasting of his entourage.
He could not bear the idea of so much violence being caused on account of his wedding. He got pensive and started thinking how to prevent the violence. “Can’t there be a way of life that would extend peace and security to every living being ?” he asked himself. As he thought deep into the matter, it was clear to him that he should better explore the way for well being of all.
He could visualize that after marriage he would get too much involved in worldly life. Then it would be hard for him to embark upon any exploration of that type. He could realize that it was the time for him to explore the truth that would lead to happiness of every being. He therefore decided to avoid getting married and to renounce the worldly life.
Every one on bridegroom’s side was taken aback by his decision. How would they be in a position to explain his sudden decision to the bridal side ? His friends and close relatives tried to dissuade him from his decision. He had however made up his mind. Their efforts therefore came to nothing. He calmly explained that it was his mission to explore bliss for all and they should not come in the way of fulfilling that mission. Thereupon he renounced everything and started for Girnar lonely and possessionless.
Neminath, as he came to be known thereafter, stayed on the mountain intensely meditating about the ultimate cause of all unhappiness. He could realize that ignorance of the true nature of oneself led to wrong perception and consequent wrong action that resulted in all sorts of miseries and pain. He therefore dwelt deep into the matter.
On the 56th day of renunciation he got fully enlightened and attained Kevalgnan (omniscience). He then set up afresh the religious order called Tirtha and became 22nd Tirthankar of the present Avasarpini. Thereafter he lived long enough to show the path of liberation.
At the time Nemikumar decided to renounce, Ugrasen and others were busy making preparations for the wedding. Rajul was being adorned by her girl friends. They were making jokes regarding her wedding and subsequent mating. She too was eagerly waiting for the arrival of her Nemikumar as the bridegroom. Then came the news that Nemikumar was not coming for the wedding. No one could understand his decision to renounce just before wedding.
Rajul was in utter grief, as if a calamity had overtaken her all of a sudden. Her friends tried to console her in that hour of crisis. Some of them started cursing Nemikumar for putting their beloved friend in the awkward position. Some others advised her to forget the unpredictable Nemikumar and look for other suitable match. Rajul had however admitted Nemikumar in her heart as the husband. She could not even think of any other person to take his place. She did not like any one to curse Nemikumar. She too had some spiritual orientation.
When she came to know of real cause of Nemikumar’s renouncement, she could overcome her grief. She realized that Nemikumar had left her for a commendable purpose. She could appreciate his mission. She thought that the best way for her was to follow in the footsteps of Nemikumar. Therefore she also renounced and left for meditation on Girnar.
Once while she was going from one place to another on the mountain, it started raining heavily. She took shelter under a tree but it was inadequate for the heavy downpour. By the time the rain stopped, she was totally drenched. She saw a cave nearby. She went inside, took off her clothes and started twisting them for drying them.
At that time Rathanemi (younger brother of Nemikumar), who had renounced earlier and who had once aspired to marry Rajul, was meditating in a corner of that cave. He opened his eyes at the sound of Rajul’s drying of her clothes. He could not believe that the girl he had dreamt of was standing there nude. He could not resist the temptation of getting her. He therefore left the meditation and expressed his love for her.
Nun Rajul was put in a very embarrassing situation. But she immediately regained her composure. Covering her body, she told him that his desire was not befitting for an ascetic like him. She explained that he should overcome his passion and stick to his renounced life. His succumbing to his instinct amounted to eating the vomited stuff. Even his brother Nemikumar, to whom she was once engaged, had left her in search for the truth. As such he should not deviate from the path that he had selected. Then Rathanemi realized the truth of her words. He begged her pardon and went away. In due course he attained Kevalgnan (omniscience).
Nun Rajul also spent the rest of her life as the head of nuns order of Lord Neminath and in the end attained divinity.