Introduction
Lord Arishtanemi, also known as Neminath, was born in the Yadav dynasty and was the cousin of Shri Krishna. He was the son of King Samudravijay. Since childhood, Arishtanemi exhibited a natural detachment from worldly matters, which puzzled his parents and others.
The Marriage Proposal
When Arishtanemi reached adulthood, the parents of Rajamati, the daughter of King Ugrasen of Mathura, sought him as a match for their daughter. However, knowing his indifference to worldly attachments, they were unsure about this match. Similarly, when Arishtanemi’s parents proposed marriage to him, he remained uninterested. To address this, Shri Krishna intervened and arranged for a function in spring where he, Satyabhama, and others tried to engage Arishtanemi with playful taunts, suggesting his readiness for marriage.
The Animals in the Marriage Procession
When the marriage procession arrived in Mathura, King Ugrasen had arranged for many animals to be slaughtered as part of the grand feast for the guests. The animals were kept in cages, and their screams of fear echoed loudly. Arishtanemi, moved by the suffering of the animals, questioned why such a sacrifice was necessary and decided to act.
Arishtanemi’s Compassion and Detachment
He ordered his charioteer to open the cages and free the animals, refusing to be a part of such cruelty. His actions left everyone in shock, and when questioned, he explained his reasoning with great wisdom.
Pearls of Wisdom
Arishtanemi said, "Only freedom brings true happiness. Just like these animals were prisoners in the fence, we are also prisoners of our Karmas. I wish to move out of this bondage and achieve eternal bliss."
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