Famous shravakas who wanted to take diksha but couldnt so had to be in sansar and did dharma
In Jain tradition, a great shravak is one who may have strong vairagya, but due to prārabdha karma, family duty, rule of kingdom, or karmic bondage, cannot take diksha in that life and therefore remains in sansar while living a dharmic life.
Famous examples often remembered in this context:
- Raja Shrenik (Bimbisar)
He is one of the most well-known Jain shravaks. He had deep reverence for dharma and great inclination toward renunciation, but karmic reasons did not allow him to attain diksha in that life.
- Raja Chetak
He is remembered as a noble and धर्मपरायण shravak king. He lived with strong Jain values and supported dharma, even while remaining in गृहस्थ life.
- Many śrāvakas described in Jain kathās
Jain scriptures and traditional stories mention several householders who desired moksha and renunciation, but because of karma and life circumstances, they continued as shravaks and performed: - ānavrat, - śrāvak dharma, - sāmāyik, - pratikramaṇ, - dāna, - tapas, - and observance of vows.
Main point: In Jain dharma, not taking diksha does not mean one cannot do great dharma. A true shravak can live with faith, restraint, charity, and inner detachment while staying in sansar.
If you want, I can also give you a list of such shravaks from Jain history and scriptures in a simple table.