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The Jain lineage includes 24 Tirthankaras, or Beings who share Their enlightenment with others. The Tirthankaras’ teachings comprise the Agam sutras, which are the holy scriptures of Jainism. The 24th and last Tirthankara was Lord Mahavira, whose name means “Great Hero.” We now invite you to listen to excerpts from the Twentieth Lecture of “Uttaradhyayana,” one of the most important scriptures in Jainism. This lecture, called “The Great Duty of the Nirgranthas (Jain Monks),” describes a conversation between King Srenika and an ascetic Saint. During their conversation, the Saint explains to the king about the inner meaning of a true protector.THE GREAT DUTY OF THE NIRGRANTHAS “Piously adoring the perfected and the restrained saints, listen to my true instruction which (teaches the real) profit (of men), religion, and liberation. King Srenika, the ruler of Magadha, who possessed many precious things, once made a pleasure-excursion to the Mandikukshi Kaitya. There he saw a restrained and concentrated saint sitting below a tree, who looked delicate and accustomed to comfort. Adoring his feet and keeping him on his right side (he sat down), neither too far off nor too close by, and asked him with his hands clasped: ‘Though a young nobleman, you have entered the order; in an age fit for pleasure you exert yourself as a Sramana, O ascetic; I want to hear you explain this.’ ‘I am without a protector, O great king; there is nobody to protect me, I know no friend nor anyone to have sympathy with me.’ ‘I am the protector of religious men; O monk; enjoy pleasures together with your friends and relations; for it is a rare chance to be born as a human being.’ ‘You yourself are without a protector, Srenika, ruler of Magadha; and as you are without a protector, how can you protect anybody else?’ When the Saint had addressed this unprecedented speech to the king, who was greatly moved and astonished, and struck with astonishment, (he answered): 'I have horses, elephants, and subjects, a town and a seraglio (harem), power and command: enjoy human pleasures. 'In possession of so great means, which permit the owner to enjoy all pleasures, how could he be without protection? Reverend sir, you speak untruth.' ‘In my childhood, O great king, I caught a very bad eye-disease and a severe burning fever in all my limbs, O ruler of men. Then the best physicians came to my help, who cure by their medical art and by spells, who were versed in their science, and well knew spells and roots. They tried to cure me according to the fourfold science (Four branches of medical science) which they had been taught; but they could not rid me of my pains: hence I say that I am without protection.’ ‘Then I said: It is very hard to bear pains again and again in the endless Circle of Births. If I, for once, shall get rid of these great pains, I shall become a houseless monk, calm, restrained, and ceasing to act. While I thought so, I fell asleep, O ruler of men; and after that night my pains had vanished. Then in the morning of the next day I took leave of my relations and became a houseless monk, calm, restrained, and ceasing to act. Thus I became the protector of myself and of others besides, of all living beings, whether they move or not.’”
