(Kharavela’s roar echoed through the assembly hall of Pataliputra, for he had vowed to crush the rule of Magadha and liberate Kalinga. Emperor Samprati watched Kharavela’s lion-like stride as he set out towards Kalinga. Read on to find out what happened next.)
“To thwart the malice brewing in his mind, I had implored you to find a remedy. Bhante! You had devised a wonderful plan, but its outcome was entirely the opposite. Why?”
In the cave dwelling on Mount Kumargiri, Maharaja Vriddharaja of Kalinga sat humbly before Arya Balissah. The same Maharaja to whom all of Kalinga bowed with folded hands and lowered heads was now sitting with his head bowed before Arya Balissah. His shoulders were slumped, and his hopes and dreams lay shattered.
“When he sought our permission, we gave it without any objection. If it was Bhante’s command, it must be beneficial. How could we refuse?” Vriddharaja spoke...
“But we had no idea it would turn out this way. Otherwise, we would never have granted permission.”
“Have patience, King!” Arya Balissah said. “There is something even beyond effort, and that is destiny. It’s not that things will happen just as we plan. What is destined will happen. Leave your son Kharavela to his destiny, Maharaja! If everything happened according to human plans, people would never bear the burden of endeavors, never renounce their work, and never seek detachment. Even an ascetic would not move from from activity to renunciation. Destiny imposes its will even upon the wise, the intelligent, and the discerning. It is neither good nor bad; it simply is what it is.
Even the wise, intelligent people cannot escape their destiny. It is neither good nor bad. It just is. If one wishes to attain peace, one must accept the unchanging principle of destiny. The sooner one accepts it, the more one benefits. Banging your head against a mountain will not help. Therefore, Maharaja, accept Kharavela’s destiny.”
“O Arya! Thank you so much for honoring my plea and putting in immense effort for Kharavela’s upbringing since his childhood. We can never forget your favor. When he was born, the royal astrologer told me he was born to be an emperor, a Chakravarti emperor. I decided then that I would not push him towards this ambition. I know how the Mauryas had massacred the Kalingas.
Every nation has a strong desire to uphold its pride, even in death, and Kalinga is no different. It would rather die than bow down....
I wasn’t even born when Emperor Ashoka came to wage war for the throne. Not just my father, King Kshemaraja, but all of Kalinga was fighting. Little Kalinga didn’t receive any support from any vast empire, no one aided it. Everyone just watched as Maurya crushed Kalinga.
"When I was born and grew up, from my childhood to my youth, I saw everything in Kalinga shattered, broken, ruined, and incomplete everywhere. Only ruins and broken remnants were left to see in Kalinga. It was a world of desolation. The enthusiasm for creation had died."
"I have seen many people burning and suffering from the separation of their loved ones, wandering the paths of Kalinga in a frenzied state. Many mothers of Kalinga considered me their own child. It is common for a mother to have many children, but I had many mothers. All those innocent Kalinga women regarded me as their son."
I have seen many elderly people sitting day and night near the ruins, living in small huts nearby. Their dream homes, built with great effort, had turned into ruins, and all their valuable possessions, along with their family members, were lost. Their dry eyes had no sparkle left, no hope remained. They seemed to be living just to die, utterly despondent...
I, Vriddharaja, lacked the strength to alleviate their suffering, to reignite any hope in their desolate lives. That’s why I continuously visited them, sat with them. If they spoke, I listened. If they cried, I offered my shoulder. Sometimes, I just sat silently with them...
Bhante Balissah! I know what Kalinga has endured. That’s why I want no emperor to rise again in this world who would break the pride of a proud nation and force it to bow. Why should anyone conquer others? Why take away someone’s freedom? When I learned that my son was destined to be an emperor, I decided that an emperor means one who forcibly snatches others’ freedom... No, my son cannot be like that. It would harm his soul deeply. It would ruin his present life, future lives, and the cycle of lives to come. If he becomes such, what’s the use of being born in the house of a devoted Arhat? What’s the use of making him a Jain follower? What’s the use of being born in the noble lineage of Chhedaraja?
I have seen empires rise, fall, collapse, and rebuild like houses of cards. What difference does it make if the emperor is Samprati? What troubles do kingdoms face if their borders are suppressed by neighbors? Rather than constantly burning for freedom, one should embrace the illusionary nominal subjugation. It seems to me that this brings peace. Struggling is not the right path. Accepting what is and being content is the way.
I have explained all this to him repeatedly. You have also explained it to him. But it has had no effect on him. I don’t know why. He doesn’t understand, nor is he willing to understand.
At first, he showed reverence for Emperor Samprati. My spy told me that he had folded his hands before the emperor. He was enchanted by the emperor. I thought it was good; if he at least acknowledges the emperor and follows his command, it would be sufficient. But the result was not favorable. The ghost of animosity towards Pataliputra did not leave his mind.
But the fault lies with me. I made the mistake. I should have left him to his destiny. With your excellent guidance, I am now capable of accepting this. I bow at your feet, Guru Bhagwan! Forgive me for taking up your precious time. Now, I seek your permission.” Saying this, Maharaja Vriddharaja of Kalinga stood up. Outside, his entourage was waiting for him. He had barely taken two steps back when...
“Vriddharaja!” Arya Balissah’s voice stopped him. “Contemplating Kharavela’s destiny can open the eyes of even a seeker.
My revered Guru Arya Mahagiriji spent the latter part of his life comparing the lives of those who lived in the style of the Jinakalpi. Jinakalp... you know, means a life of renunciation. There is no place for even a single exception. If there is no need, do not speak. If there is no need, do not eat. If there is no need, do not wear anything. Live as freely and solitarily as the horn of a rhinoceros. Less activity, more contemplation and meditation. No guru, no disciple. Such a life of Jinakalpi has ended. However, monks who are eager and desirous of living a self-absorbed life still try to live in the style of the Jinakalpi. It is called comparing the lives of the Jinakalpi.
Mount Kumari, which is like a pilgrimage site for Kalinga, is for the Sthavira monks. They stay there. They live in groups. They study. They exchange discussions and dialogues. They learn from someone and teach someone.there is no Guru nor any disciple.
The Sthavira monks come in direct contact with people with a spirit of altruism. They guide them on the path of Dharma. They take care of the religious devotees. They listen to their joys and sorrows.
The Sthavira monks focus on altruism. The Jinakalpi monks focus on self-benefit. There is no interaction with others. No guidance, no inspiration, only silence.
On Mount Kumargiri, which is like a pilgrimage site for Kalinga, just as the Kalinga Jina resides, there is also a place where monks comparing the lives of the Jinakalpi reside. These monks, free from all material possessions, are engrossed in intense penance, silence, and self-contemplation. Unless there is a special task for the Sangh, they do not engage in any activity.
My Guru’s first disciple is Arya Bahula, also known as Arya Uttar... For years, he has been comparing the lives of the Jinakalpi in that highest cave on Mount Kumargiri. When I contemplate Kharavela’s destiny, I feel that I should now focus on comparing the lives of the Jinakalpi. It is my utmost aspiration to engage in this supreme practice, and this is my decision.
So, from today, from this moment, as soon as you leave this cave, I will immediately join the group of monks comparing the lives of the Jinakalpi on the top of Mount Kumargiri. No householders are allowed in that area. So, do not interrupt my practice.”
“Bhante!” Vriddharaja folded his hands. He was overwhelmed.
“An exalted soul like yours, who roams freely in the heights of the sky like an unrestrained Garuda, has come down to earth for our welfare, staying among us and providing us with religious guidance. This unparalleled favor can never be forgotten. Truly, you are great! Forgive us for keeping you here for so many years.”
“Destiny kept me here, Vriddharaja! Neither you nor I have the power to control it. We are all puppets in the hands of destiny.”
But the seeds of religious values, the spirit of sacrifice, generosity, dedication, and devotion to the Guru that have been deeply sown in Kharavela’s soul are indomitable, unstoppable, and infallible. Today or tomorrow, they will surely bear fruit, and Kharavela will indeed become a “Bhikkhuraj” (monk king).
"If the path of renunciation is to be attained through the way of indulgence, if non-violence and peace are to be achieved only through violence and unrest, then we should focus on our own spiritual practice in the present. Tomorrow's matters are for tomorrow. Living in the present is the way of a true ascetic... Vriddharaja!”
Listening to Bhante Balissah’s words, tears welled up in Vriddharaja’s eyes. He folded his hands, touched Bhante’s feet, and after this final act of respect and his last glimpse of Bhante’s serene face, Maharaja headed towards Tosali. On a turn in the path, he caught sight of the upper part of Mount Kumargiri. He saw a human figure swiftly cutting through the path, moving higher and higher. He folded his hands, sighed deeply, and continued his journey downward and downward.
(To be continued)
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