Dharanendra

Dharanendra and his wife Padmavati were reborn from snakes. These snakes were saved from a fire after being trapped in a log. Many Indian people believe snakes to be ritualistically important. This creation of Dharanendra creates a preconceived idea that the Yaksha will be fierce, stealth, and witty. Before this creation of the Yaksha Dharanendra, the prince Parshvanatha had saved two snakes from a fire. This heroic act made Dharanendra feel obligated to protect the prince at all costs. Padmavati was grateful, of course, but she stilled warned Dharanendra of making so strong a promise. As a Yaksha with so much pride, Dharanendra scoffed at his wife Padmavati, thinking he could handle his promise and he is only doing what is right.

Padmavati said, "I just want you to think about this."

Dharanendra replied, "Be quiet, Padmavati! Everything will be fine. There is nothing I can't handle!"

Lord Parshvanatha was excited to have the protection of Dharanendra. The prince felt he could do whatever he wanted.

Parshvanatha asked, "So...no matter what kind of trouble I'm in, you will help me out?"

Dharanendra replied, "Absolutely anything, prince. You saved my wife and I, and I will never forget that."

And so it was true, no matter the situation he found himself in, Dharanendra saved him. Lord Parshvanatha felt invincible and therefore lived a very carefree lifestyle. If Lord Parshvanatha was trapped, Dharanendra would send help to free him. If Lord Parshvanatha was in a battle with somebody, Dharanendra would find a way to ensure a victory by Lord Parshvanatha. No matter what, Dharanendra was there.

Padmavati ended up being right, and Dharanendra knew it. Dharanendra was sick and tired of saving Lord Parshvanatha from everything and everyone. Dharanendra was a very trusting Yaksha, but faced a tough dilemma. Dharanendra understood that Lord Parshvanatha saved the lives of the two snakes, thus allowing him and his wife to be reborn, but Dharanendra was now forcing himself to save the prince Lord Parshvanatha left and right.

Dharanendra decided to take a short break from saving Lord Parshvanatha. Dharanendra figured that Lord Parshvanatha could fend for himself for a week or so. Even heavenly beings get tired and annoyed from time to time. Padmavati completely supported the actions of her Yaksha husband.

Dharanendra said to his wife, "I just don't know if I can do this anymore, Padmavati. He is driving me absolutely crazy. I'm saving him left and right."

Padmavati replied, "Take a break, my husband. You deserve it."

Dharanendra felt uneasy about it all considering how many times he had saved Lord Parshvanatha, but he preceded to begin a week of minding his own business.

A few days into the break, Lord Parshvanatha, not shockingly, found himself in a bit of trouble. This time, however, he was not at fault. While the prince was taking a stroll in the countryside, a mugger approached Lord Parshvanatha and demanded everything he had. Of course Lord Parshvanatha refused, thinking he had the protection of Dharanendra on his side. But Dharanendra wasn't watching the prince. The mugger kept yelling at Lord Parshvanatha to give him everything he had. The prince still refused, thinking Dharanendra would save him any second.

The mugger yelled, "I'll give you one more chance to give me all of your valuables!"

Parshvanatha replied, "Hahaha, I will give you nothing and you will like it!"

The mugger then hit the prince upside the head after many failed vocal attempts at getting his items.

A day later, Dharanendra couldn't take it anymore. He had to check in on the prince and make sure he hadn't done anything stupid. As Dharanendra descended from the sky, he saw Lord Parshvanatha lying on the ground surrounded by blood. Dharanendra had no idea what had happened, but he knew it was his fault. He had promised Lord Parshvanatha that he would protect him, but he had failed. Dharanendra would never forgive himself for not protecting the prince.

After Parshvanatha had recovered from his wounds, he realized he wasn't the man he wanted to be. The prince decided to make a life changing decision and become a monk. The transformation was substantial. After seeing the man Parshvanatha became, Dharanendra would forgive himself. Parshvanatha was a new man and a man Dharanendra would be proud to protect.

Author's Note: The original story of Dharanendra is that of two snakes being saved by the prince Lord Parshvanatha and thus Dharanendra and his wife being reborn. Then Dharanendra thanks the prince Lord Parshvanatha and promises to always protect him. I decided to do a continuation of this story. The reason for this is because the initial sorry intrigued me, and I wanted to see what I could do to make it how I think I would like it. I realize I made a very large change in the initial source story, as there is no mention of the prince Lord Parshvanatha taking advantage of Dharanendra in any way. Making such a vast change to a story is something that I have always liked to do because I feel I can do so much more with it, than if I were to make a few simple tweaks. It is very important that I say that I also completely altered the attitudes of the characters in this story to fit my big alteration to the initial source story.

Sculpture of Dharanendra (Link)

Bibliography: Jain Story