________________
7. Sadhana
andivardhan's description of Vardhaman's resolve to leave
the palace and head for the forest gripped my thoughts for several days. The vivid images of Vardhaman giving away all his wealth, walking barefoot into the forest and covered with just a single piece of cloth still haunts me. I can see people lined up along his route bidding him farewell with tears, Nandivardhan watching all this in stunned silence while others urging Vardhaman to return to the palace. Obviously, their affectionate pleas did not dissuade Vardhaman from his decision. The Prince - now a pauper - walked all alone, with no one for company, blazing an unknown path, his destination unknown.
Where did he go? What was the force driving him? How did he endure the hardships of twelve and a half years of lonely sadhana? What difficulties and dangers did he face? People expect me to know all about this period in Mahavir's life because I, Indrabhuti Gautam have been his disciple for so many years. However, I too am desperately looking for the answers, because Mahavir has always been silent on these matters. Perhaps there are clues in his sermons and his day-to-day living. I try hard to analyze his every word, his every move. For all my efforts, what
Jain Education Intemational
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
