Anathi Muni — Who is Truly an Orphan?

King Shrenik was hunting in the Mandikukshi forest when he came across a Jain monk sitting in deep meditation. The monk was incredibly handsome, young, and radiated peace. The king respectfully approached and asked, "O Sage, you are in the prime of your youth. Why have you renounced the pleasures of the world?"

The young monk opened his eyes and said, "O King, I became a monk because I was an Anathi (an orphan, one without a protector)." King Shrenik laughed, "How is that possible? Come with me, I will be your protector!"

The monk smiled. "O King, you yourself are an orphan. How can you protect me? Listen to my story. I was born into an extremely wealthy family in Kaushambi. I had loving parents, a beautiful young wife, and endless riches. But one day, I developed a terrible, excruciating pain in my eyes and head."

"My wealthy father hired the best doctors in the land. They failed. My loving mother wept constantly, but could not take my pain. My devoted wife stayed awake nights rubbing my feet, but she could not cure me. I had wealth, power, and family, yet no one could protect me from my suffering."

"In that agony, I realized the truth: the soul is utterly alone. No worldly relation or wealth can protect it from karma. I resolved that if I survived, I would seek the only true protector—the Dharma. Miraculously, my pain vanished that night. I took initiation the next morning."

King Shrenik realized the profound truth of the monk's words. He bowed deeply, recognizing that true protection comes only from spiritual awakening, not worldly power.