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2. The Sraman Sangh Brotherhood
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magine venturing to swim across a vast ocean, unaided and all alone. Rarely, if at all, would anyone ever achieve, never mind attempt, such a feat. Yet that is precisely what most of us foolishly do - try to cross, all alone, the ocean of samsara, or the endless cycle of death and rebirth, and to get to the other side where peace and enlightenment lie. If we suddenly find a lifeboat in this lonely struggle, our hope is rekindled and our goal feels attainable. That is how I felt as I stood listening to Mahavir on the samosaran grounds. I was ecstatic with joy and was already dreaming of reaching my goal of liberating my soul. Suddenly I was riding a wave of hope that was carrying me to divine freedom. I was about to ask Mahavir to be my guide.
By now, the entire yagnya grounds had become surprisingly empty. My brothers Pundit Supreme Agnibhuti and Veda scholar Vayubhuti, had already arrived with their disciples, and were standing behind me. They too wanted to know more about the Sraman concepts about karma. Mahavir, they hoped, will explain.
When other Vedic scholars heard the news that we three brothers have joined Mahavir's camp, they came to see Mahavir with their
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