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THE WAY OF LIFE
to the Lord but it was only a "confidential” conversation between a devotee and the Lord. It was their personal matter. We should not treat the personal matter of somebody as a public matter. Yes. If you too acquire such emotional intimacy with the Lord, you too will say such things. But you must remember that you must also respect the commands of the Lord in the same manner. How astoundingly did Ded shravak conform to the commands of the Paramatma! Do you know this? If not you must know this.
Ded shravak felt secure, fearless and safe in the refuge of the Paramatma Stambhan Parshwanath. He recited the 'Uvasaggaharam stotra' (this sutra has an extraordinary spiritual power). Again and again, with a serene mind, he medi. tated on the meaning of every word in the stotra.
A man can be safe and fearless only by means of faith, wisdom and devotion. Only a man who is free from worries and fears can meditate upon the Lord. Anxieties regarding his wife, fears regarding the king and anxieties regarding the future did not arise in the mind of Ded shravak. He became deeply immersed in the repetition of the "Uvasaggaharam stotra' and in that absorption, he slept.
AND A MIRACLE OCCURRED
In the fourth division (prahar) of the night when deep darkness dwelt everywhere, Ded shravak woke up from his sleep. He saw an extraordinary event. He saw that a soldier was standing near him. He was wearing a gold crown studded with red, precious stones. He could see the warrior in the radiance of that crown. He had a broad chest. His shoulders were strong and his hands extended to his knees. He wore a black metallic armour. He was sitting on a horse which had been decorated with gold ornaments. The noble warrior said to Ded, "Sit behind me on the horse".
Ded said, "My hands and feet are bound with iron chains. I am unable to move. Kindly pardon me".
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