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The Story of Muladeva
Yoga Shastra, Second Light, Verse 72 | Why doesn't he buy it by giving a lot of wealth? Muladeva also stood there with his eyes closed, speechless; at that time he was feeling his condition like that of a wolf who had lost his place. Achal suddenly thought that this Mahatma has come into such a situation due to fate; therefore, it is not appropriate to subdue him (control him by giving punishment). Therefore, he said to Muladeva - 'Muladeva! I forgive all the crimes you have committed till today. If you are grateful, then in return, do me a favor when the time comes.' Saying this, he left Muladeva.
Like an elephant wounded in battle, Muladeva left from there and quickly set off and in a short time he reached outside the village and took a bath in a great lake. After bathing, wearing washed white clothes, he was shining like the autumn season. Muladeva, mounted on the thought-shaped desire of doing good or bad to Achal, went from there towards Venat. On the way, a forest twelve yojanas long and full of ferocious animals went by, like a dear companion of misfortune. He wanted, just as a boat is helpful in crossing the great ocean, so may I get some help in crossing this long forest. Just at that time, as if it had dripped from the sky, a Brahmin named Takk suddenly appeared there with a food packet in his hand. Just as an old man gets support from a stick, so also the helpless Muladeva was very happy to get the support of this Brahmin. Muladeva said to the Brahmin - 'Vipra! You have met me by chance, like my shadow, helpless in this forest. Therefore, now both of us will talk enough and quickly cross this forest. The story removes the fatigue of the journey.' On this, the Brahmin asked, 'Mahabag! First tell me how far and where you have to go? And accept my friendship on the way. I have to go to the city called 'Virnidhan' on the other side of this jungle. Tell me where you have to go.' Muladeva said - I have to go to Venatata Nagar. As soon as the Vipra heard, he said - Then it is fine. Our path is the same for a long distance, so come, let's go. The sun, which scorched the head with its intense heat, came in the midday, by then both of them reached the bank of a lake. Muladeva washed his hands and face in it and sat down in a shady place to relieve his fatigue, where the sun did not reach. The Brahmin also opened his packet and took out food from it and started eating alone like a miser, by the water. The cunning one thought - 'This one has sat down to eat alone without giving me anything first. It seems he is very hungry. It is possible that after eating, he will give me.' But the Brahmin, contrary to his hope, immediately tied up his packet and stood up as soon as he finished eating. Muladeva thought - He will give it today or tomorrow. But the next day also the Brahmin ate alone in the same way. Three days passed for Muladeva in this hope only. Hope is life for men. When the time came for both of them to change their paths, the Brahmin said to the cunning king, 'Look, fortunate one! Now my path and yours are different. I am going on my way. May you be well.' On this, Muladeva also said - 'Vipravar! With your help, I have crossed this terrible forest, twelve yojanas long, like a kos. Now I will go to Venatata. If there is any work worthy of me, please tell me. My name is Muladeva. So tell me what is your name?' He said - 'My real name is Sadhdhar Vipra, people call me Nirghrun Sharma.' Saying this, companion Takk separated from Muladeva.
Now Muladeva walked alone on the way to Venatata. On the way, a village appeared like a resting place for creatures. Muladeva's intestines were churning with hunger. He entered the village and while wandering for alms, he got some black gram bakules from a house. He was taking them out of the village when a monk, who was observing a monthly fast, like a virtuous person, appeared coming from the front. Seeing him, Muladeva was very happy. He thought - 'By my own good fortune, I have met a great ascetic monk, like a vessel that saves from the sea, who saves from the ocean of the world.' He gave those black gram bakules to the monk, who was adorned with the three jewels, as alms with this feeling that 'the fruit of the tree of wisdom, which has been irrigated for a long time, has been received by me today.' After giving the donation, Muladeva said - 'Truly they are blessed;
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