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During the time of the Mahabharata, the socio-political and religious conditions in India had deteriorated. The standards of restraints and monogamy that were prevalent during the Ramayana period had given way. Polygamy had become common, and rulers and wealthy men would marry as many wives as they could afford. Even elderly men with grown-up sons did not hesitate to marry young girls. Polyandry, the practice of a woman having multiple husbands, was also observed in some cases. Rulers were growing in power, maintaining large armies, and waging wars to expand their territories. Among them, Jarasangha, the king of Magadha, was the most powerful and aspired to become the lord of the entire Indian subcontinent, known as Bharatkhanda. Other rulers competed with each other to gain his favor. Tyrant kings like Kansa would show utmost cruelty to anyone suspected of being against their interests. Hunting was a favored pastime of the warrior class, and gambling was considered a respectable game. Animals were sacrificed in religious rituals, and non-vegetarianism had become popular. It was a time when a great saint was needed to emerge and teach religion anew.
The Yadava clan had mostly settled on the banks of the Yamuna River, with Mathura and Shauripuri in present-day western Uttar Pradesh being their major centers of concentration. Samudravijay, a Yadava prince, ruled over Shauripuri. His wife's name was Shivadevi, and they had a son named Nemikumar, also known as Arishtanemi due to a dream his mother had of a series of black jewels called Arishta while she was pregnant. Nemikumar was a cousin and close associate of Lord Krishna. Under Krishna's leadership, the Yadavas challenged the authority of Jarasangha, which led to their migration from Mathura to Dwarka in Saurashtra. Nemikumar's family also migrated with them to Dwarka.
Like Krishna, Nemikumar was dark complexioned, handsome, and charming, attracting the attention of many girls. However, he was introverted and did not develop strong attachments to worldly life. He was more inclined towards spiritual pursuits and introspection. At that time, Ugrasena was the king of Junagadh, located at the foot of Mt. Girnar in Saurashtra. Ugrasena had a daughter named Räjimati, popularly known as Rajul, who grew up to be a beautiful and graceful young girl. Many princes and promising youths desired to marry her. When Rajul learned about Nemikumar, she became enamored with him and wished to marry him. Ugrasena then sent a marriage proposal to Nemikumar, which was warmly received by the Yadava chiefs. With considerable effort, Nemikumar's friends and family members persuaded him to accept the offer, as they believed that Nemikumar and Rajul would make an ideal couple. The two were officially engaged, and a mutually auspicious day was set for their wedding ceremony.
On the appointed day, a beautifully decorated wedding party set off from Dwarka, with Nemikumar as the handsome groom. Many people joined the party, anticipating a grand celebration. Some were also eager to climb Mt. Girnar. For King Ugrasena, the wedding of his beloved daughter was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, and he had made elaborate arrangements to ensure its pleasure. Adequate provisions for food and entertainment were made along the way for the groom's party. When they reached the outskirts of Junagadh and camped near Mt. Girnar, they were warmly received by Ugrasena and the prominent men of the place. The weather was pleasant, with cool and gentle winds blowing from Girnar. Everyone was in a joyful mood, eagerly anticipating the long-awaited wedding ceremony. Tasty and delicious food was prepared for the feast of the groom's party.
Nemikumar, too, was in a pleasant mood as he prepared for the wedding ceremony and mounted the specially decorated chariot. On the way to the wedding venue, he heard the sound of animals and birds that were to be slaughtered for the feast of his entourage. The idea of so much violence being caused due to his wedding weighed heavily on his conscience. He became thoughtful and contemplated how to prevent such violence. He asked himself if there was a way of life that could bring peace and security to all living beings. As he delved deeper into the matter, he realized that it was the right time for him to explore the truth that would lead to the happiness of every being. He understood that after marriage, he would become deeply involved in worldly life, making it harder for him to embark on such an exploration. He realized that he should prioritize the well-being of all and decided to forgo his marriage. He asked the charioteer to turn back.
Everyone on the groom's side was taken aback by his sudden decision. How would they explain this to the bride's side? His friends and close relatives tried to dissuade him, but he remained resolute. Nemikumar calmly explained that his mission was to explore universal bliss, and they should not hinder him in fulfilling that mission. He renounced everything and embarked on a solitary and possessionless journey to Mt. Girnar. Neminath, as he came to be known, lived on the mountain, intensely meditating on the cause of all unhappiness. He realized that ignorance of the true nature of the Self led to wrong perception and subsequent wrong actions, resulting in various forms of misery and pain. He delved deep into the nature of the Self and, on the 56th day of his renunciation, attained full enlightenment and omniscience. He established a new religious order called Tirtha and became the 22nd Tirthankar of the present Avasarpini. He lived a long life, teaching the path to liberation.
Meanwhile, when Neminath decided to renounce, Ugrasena and others were busy preparing for the wedding. Rajul was being adorned by her friends, who cracked jokes about her upcoming wedding and subsequent married life. She eagerly awaited the arrival of her beloved Nem as the groom. However, the news came that Nemikumar would not be coming for the wedding. No one could understand his decision to renounce just before the wedding. Rajul was devastated, and her friends tried to console her during this crisis. Some cursed Nem for putting her in such an awkward position, while others advised her to forget him and look for another suitable match. Rajul, however, had already accepted Nem in her heart as her husband and could not imagine anyone else in his place. She refused to entertain thoughts of curses against Nem and instead embraced his mission. She understood that Nem had left for a noble purpose and appreciated his endeavor. She decided to follow in his footsteps and renounced worldly life, setting off for meditation on Mt. Girnar.
One day, while traveling on the mount, Rajul encountered heavy rainfall. She sought shelter under a tree, but it provided insufficient cover from the downpour. When the rain finally stopped, she was completely drenched. As she continued her journey, she came across a cave and sought refuge inside. Removing her wet clothes, she began wringing them to remove the water. Unbeknownst to her, Rathanemi, Nemikumar's younger brother who had also renounced worldly life, was meditating in a corner of the cave. Upon hearing the sound of Rajul wringing her clothes, he opened his eyes and was astonished to find the girl he had once aspired to marry standing before him, naked. Overwhelmed by desire, he abandoned his meditation and expressed his love for her.
Rajul found herself in an embarrassing situation, but she quickly regained her composure. Covering her body with her saree, she admonished Rathanemi, stating that his desire was inappropriate for an ascetic like him. She explained that he should overcome his passion and adhere to his chosen path of renunciation. Giving in to his instincts would be akin to consuming vomit. She reminded him that even his brother Nem, to whom she was engaged, had left her in search of truth. Therefore, he should not deviate from the path he had chosen. Rathanemi finally understood the truth of her words, apologized to her, and resumed his quest for self-realization. In due course, he attained omniscience. Rajul spent the remainder of her life as the head of a nun's order dedicated to Neminath and eventually attained heavenly life.
Thus, Nemikumar and Rajul's paths diverged, with Nemikumar becoming Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar, and Rajul embracing the life of a nun, dedicated to spiritual pursuits. Their stories serve as reminders of their noble aspirations and the profound impact their choices had on their spiritual journeys.
