The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 27

One day Devadatta was sitting under the tree, one of the Monk Kokalika in the Sangha said “ Devadatta cannot you realize that you are not a suitable leader of the Bhikshu Sangha? The foremost disciples of Buddha venerable Moggallana and Sariputta gave instructions and teachings to your followers, after that all of them were left your hermitage and gone to Jetavana Monastery, for your information, only a few foolish and ignorant followers are with you.” Devadatta could not believe the words of the monk Kokalika who said “you are not a real monk, you are wearing a saffron robe to manipulate people, you are foolish and exploiting the emotions of the people to gain fame and honor.  You are boastful, you are wicked who turned down his own preceptor, and compete with him.  Therefore I have no wish to stay with you any longer.”  Kokalika left the hermitage of Devadatta.

After nine months, Devadatta was troubled with a critical illness.    There was no improvement for quite some; he has no one around other than his handful of followers to look after him.  He felt that it was the Karma of his deceitful behavior to Lord Buddha; he also realized that Buddha is a noble soul who has always been kind and compassionate to him.  He remembered Buddha never shown any slightest hatred or resentment towards him all these years. Devadatta understood his death is nearing; he heartily wanted to meet Buddha and beg for forgiveness.  He requested the Monks who were in the service to take to Jetavana Monastery.  The monks carried Devadatta to the Jetavana Monastery to fulfill his last wish, he felt miserable, could not even take breathe.  He got out of the palanquin and slowly walked towards the Monastry, suddenly the weather has changed, sky is burdened with dark clouds, a strong wind swept away the dust and dried leaves, the Earth under his feet split apart,  Devadatta’s half of the body sunk deep into the Earth, eventually his entire body up to neck plunged into mud, he cried out calling for help “ Oh! The noble soul who is the personification of wisdom and knowledge, virtues, Oh! Lord Buddha, who is the remover of darkness of ignorance,  Oh! Supreme preceptor, I sincerely offer greetings to you, I take the lotus feet of Lord Buddha as my shelter place forever.” Thus, Devadatta disappeared from the Earth.

Sant Nivriththinath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Nivriththinath Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

Nivriththinath continued to be under the guidance of Gehninath Maharaj, he undertook extreme Tapasya and meditation.  At home, the three children Gnandev, Sopandev, and Muktha found their parents are missing.  Nivriththinath returned home after embracing Sanyasa under the instruction of Gehninath Maharaj.  The children supported each other’s in their difficult times, they go begging for alms but returned home empty-handed, villagers were refused to offer alms saying that ‘Alms are offered to Bhramins and Saints.”  The children were compelled to move out of their village Alandi due to the hatred of the villagers.  They approached the high intellectuals and scholars of the village Paitan, requested a date to perform the sacred thread ceremony, the children came to know about the verdict of death punishment as atonement imposed upon their parents which were utterly unjustifiable.  Gnandev performed the miracle before the villagers of Paitan to prove that the supreme Lord resides as a soul in all the living beings, he recited Sanskrit verse before a buffalo, it repeated the verses, in this way Gandev instructed the people to respect all the living beings on the Earth.

Nivriththinath and his siblings returned to Alandi after several years.  The villagers received the youthful and charming saints with great respect.  Nivriththinath was not only  an elder brother, but he was also a preceptor to his siblings, he advised Gnandev to write the great philosophical work Amruthanubhav, and Gyaneshwari which is the essence of Bhagavad Gita.  The people of Alandi became fervent devotees of the young saints and highly praised their knowledge. During this period, Mahayogi Changdev Maharaj visited Alandi and heard the fame of young Saint Gnandeva.  Changdev Maharaj send a message in a blank paper to Gnandeva to test his wisdom, he worked a spell on the devotees of Gnandeva, but it was removed by his devotion.  Changdev arrived on a leopard to meet Gnandeva to prove his supremacy.  Gnandeva who was sitting on the wall with his sibilings instructed the wall to move and stood before Changdev.  Finally, Changdev  Maharaj realized the divinity of Gnandeva and took shelter at his feet.  At the age of 21, Gnandev Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi in Alandi, Sopandev undertook Samadhi soon after Gnandev.  Nivriththinath Maharaj and Muktha left Alandi for a spiritual tour, during their journey Mukthabai attained the abode of Lord.  Nivriththinath Maharaj proceeded to Nasik, at the age of 24 attained Mahasamadhi in Thryambakeshwar.

Sant Nivriththinath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Nivriththinath Maharaj!

Chapter – 2

Nivriththinath was ten years old, the family undertook a journey to Trayambakeshwar on foot, they have traveled through the dense forest in the night.    suddenly he was separated from the family, left alone in the middle of the forest. The family was alarmed; there was no one to call for help, all of a sudden there appeared few tribal people who were in search of the tiger.  They urged the family to hide in a safe place; otherwise, they have to face danger.  Nivriththinath wandered in the dense food and had the encounter with the tiger, he stood calm and serene before the animal, and he stared at it and the tiger left the place amicably.  Nivriththinath proceeded his journey through the woods and reached before a cave in the hills of Anjani.

Nivriththinath went inside the cave where he could hear the utterance of ‘Alak Niranjan’.  He met a saint inside the cave, it was Sant Gehninath who the disciple of Sant Gorakhnath Maharaj was long waiting for the arrival of Nivriththi. Further, Nivriththnath attained Deeksha from Gehninath Maharaj of Nath Sampradaya.

The villager’s cruelty and humiliation to Vittal Panth and his children increased day by day.  The children were mistreated, they were considered as sinners.  Vittal Panth decided to put an end to these kinds of mistreatments; he thought the performance of the sacred thread ceremony to the children would earn new respect in society.  He decided to approach the scholars of the village for getting an auspicious date to perform the sacred thread ceremony.  Rukmini felt miserable seeing her children in extreme hunger and humiliation.  Vittal Panth met the senior scholars of Bhramin assembly, he explained that he had not committed any sin and children are not sinners, he embraced Sanyasa with the permission of his wife while he has no interest in worldly matters, he returned to Grihasthashram at the command of his preceptor Sage Ramananda, therefore he or his children did not commit any severest sin.  The Assembly of Bhramin refused to give a date for the performance of the sacred thread ceremony of the children, instead, they advised Vittal Panth to perform the atonement for the sin committed, so that they may consider issuance of the date for sacred thread ceremony.  Vittal Panth agreed to perform any atonement for the bright future of his children, the Assembly ordered Vittal Panth to give up life as atonement for his sin.  He humbly prostrated before the Assembly of Bhramin and agreed to follow the verdict.  Rukmini decided to follow her husband in death punishment too.  On that night she put her children for sleep and the couple left home and took Jalasamadhi.

Sant Nivriththinath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Nivriththinath Maharaj!

Chapter – 1

The illustrious Saint Ramanand from Kashi visited the village of Alandi, in Maharashtra.  On his way to the shrine, he met a virtuous woman seeking his blessings.  Saint Ramanand blessed her to live a happy married life with virtuous offspring.  She shed tears of grief; it was Rukmini who was living saintly life from the separation of her husband who embraced Sanyasa,  she was living with her elderly parents in the village, even though she was well married to Vittal Panth.  Saint Ramanand enquired the reason for her sorrow; she described her fate to spend a life of an unmarried even though she was married to Vittal Panth.  Sage Ramanand returned to his hermitage and called for his disciple Vittal Panth, he advised him to return to his village at once, where his chaste wife Rukmini eagerly waiting for his arrival.  Vittal Panth returned to his village, the family was extremely happy to receive him.  In due course of time, the couple had four children, Nivriththinath, Gnandev, Sopandev, and Mukthabai.

The villagers did not treat the family of Vittal Panth with respect; they blamed him irresponsible to carry out neither Sanyasashrama nor Grihasthashrama.  Those days it was considered as a sin to led Grihasthashrama for a Sayansin.  Therefore the family had to face sheer shame in the village; they were treated as lowly creatures.  Vittal Panth had to face extreme poverty and criticism of the villagers who refused to consider him as a Brahmin.  He was refused to participate in any of the festivities or events in the village.  His children had to face constant insult from the villagers; they treated the children from the lowly clan and humiliated in public, it often put off their happiness and peace in the family.  The family had to go through extreme poverty, Rukmini found it impossible to put off the hunger of her children.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 26

Devadatta executed his spell over the young prince Ajathashathru, to get his right on the throne; he provoked Ajathashathru to act against his father.  Ajathashathru decided to imprison his father until his life ends.  Devadatta tried to take away the life of Buddha thrice, but he was desperately failed. One day he approached Buddha who was surrounded by a large number of disciples.  He acted himself as the strict follower of Dharma and simplicity, to persuade all the Bhikshus seated before Buddha, and he requested Buddha “ Lord, kindly  give permission to establish strict practices and guidelines such as the Monks should live in the forest, not in the town or villages where the ordinary people are inhibited, monks should be live on alms, they should not partake meal in the homes, monks should be worn only saffron robes, and should not accept clothing as offerings from others, a monk should live only under the shade of the trees, not in the sophisticated homes, a monk should not eat meat or consume intoxicating drinks, I think these rules could bring advancement in the spiritual life of the Monks.  If any of the monks violate the above rules should undergo strict punishment.  Lord, what do you think about these principles I have conceived for the welfare of the monks?”  Lord Buddha said “ Devadatta, I deny to give permission to execute the above principles.  The quality of Dharma and simplicity should not adhere to rules, it would put the monks in difficulty to perform their tasks and maintain their livelihood.  All the acts of righteousness and its practices should come voluntarily by observance.  I allow consumption of meat which is purely based on three things such as not seen, not heard, or suspected. ”  Devadatta turned to the monks assembled and asked “ Oh! Monk, who do you think superior? Don’t you think my rules are good for the monks aren’t they? Whoever believes it is good for us should come and live with me.”  Buddha said, “ Devadatta don’t be arrogant, don’t do this, breaking the association of saintly people is highly sinful Karma.” Devadatta angrily spoke, “From this day on I am not your disciple and you are no longer my preceptor.”

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 25

Once five Sakhyan princes of Kapilavasthu, Prince Baddhiya, Prince Anurudhdha, Prince Ananda, Prince Bhagu, and Prince Kimbila, along with Koliyan Prince Devadatta, and a Barber named Upali, approached Buddha and requested to ordain as Monks.  Buddha instantly gave permission to ordain Upali, and followed by the princes respectively. Soon after their ordination, these monks attained Arahanthship with their dedicated practices and meditation.  The venerable Ananda under the guidance of venerable Punnamantaniputta attained the highest of the spiritual knowledge.  The venerable Devadatta attained various psychic powers considered as mundane.  Devadatta thought ‘I am from the royal clan, why the monks receiving a lot of respect and honor from ordinary people, why not me? Prince Ajathasathru who is the son of King Bimbisara of Rajagaha is young and does not know the difference between right and wrong, I can display all my supernatural powers to gain his devotion and respect.  So that I can achieve whatever I want through the young prince.”

One night Devadatta entered the chamber of Ajathasathru who got frightened to see him in the darkness.  He addressed Ajathashathru, as if he knows him for years, Ajathashathru was completely overwhelmed.  Devadatta asked him to be calm and quiet; introduced himself to Ajathashathru and said: “I am here to help you, and let you know when the time comes.” After saying so, Devadatta disappeared from his sight in the Veluvana Monastery, Rajagaha city.   Devadatta thought ‘ I have played my supernatural powers on prince Ajathashathru, now onwards, the prince will provide whatever I ask.  Soon I can be the leader of Sangha.”

One day Devadatta approached Buddha and said “Lord, you are getting very old, it is the time to share your responsibilities with me, I am willing to take up the burden of leading the Sangha.  Please announce the same to the entire Monk.  I can take over your teaching responsibilities.”  The disciples, monks and Buddha were surprised to witness the rude behavior of Devadatta.  Buddha said “Absolutely not. Devadatta. I am not tired of teaching Dharma; I am not tired of leading the people to the path of Dharma.”  Devadatta felt humiliated before a large number of disciples and left in a rage.  Eventually, the disciples and monks of the hermitage started showing little interest in Devadatta. It irked the pride and ego of Devadatta who decided to bring destruction to his preceptor.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 24

There were large numbers of female disciples of Lord Buddha who desired to get ordination as Bhikshuni/Nun, they have appealed three times to Lord Buddha but he was refused to give ordination.  The female disciple decided not to give up, understood there must be some valid reason to reject their plea.  They have decided to clean shave their heads and wear saffron robes and follow Buddha wherever he goes.  One of the Monk approached Lord Buddha with a  doubt, it was if the women were ordained as Bhikshuni according to Buddhist dispensation will they attain the supernatural powers/Arahanthship,  Buddha said “ Ananda, it is true that if they are ordained as nun according to Buddhist dispensation they would achieve Arahanthaship, exactly as the Monk does.”  The Monk pleaded “ If that is the case, kindly give ordination to Queen Mahaprajapathi, who gave birth, and raised you as a child. Kindly fulfill her wishes, Lord.”  Buddha spoke “ Ananda If Mahaprajapathi undertakes the practice of  eight strict conditions, I will give her permission for ordination.”

Ananda returned to the female ascetics who were keenly waiting for the ordination and imparted the knowledge on eight strict conditions such as a Bikshuni who have ordained should worship the Bhikshu for hundred years from the day of ordination, a Bikshuni should not spend the rains- retreat in a monastery where there are no Bhikshus in residence.  Two years later, these female ascetics completed their practice on eight strict conditions during the two rains-retreats and returned to Buddha with their request to ordain them as Bhikshunis.   Buddha instantly gave permission for the ordination.  After the ordination of MahaPrajapathi as Bhikshuni and the Sakhyan Bhikshunis were immersed in strict mental practices and meditations until each one of them attained Arahanthship. 

The King Mahanama of the Sakhya clan has inherited the throne of Kapilavasthu.  The Kingdom started to show the sign of impermanence, Yasodhara thought of her husband Siddhartha who abandoned the luxuries of the Kingdom without any second thought and conducted the search for spirituality.  Her relatives, son, and the Queen Mahaprajapathi Gautami followed the footsteps of her husband and ordained as Bikshus and Bikshunis respectively.  Yasodhara decided to give up all the royal comforts and follow the path of Lord Buddha's Dharma and simplicity/Vinaya.  Soon princess Yasodhara and a large number of ladies of the Palace traveled to Jetavana Monastery, they practiced the eight strict conditions for two rains-retreat, approached Lord Buddha to get permission to ordain as Bhikshuni.  Yasodhara was ordained as Bhikshuni with the name venerable ‘Bhaddhakanchana Theri’ and continued rigorous mental practices and meditation, eventually, she attained Arahanthship.