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A MAHAVIR PARABLE
PART ONE
After initiation Mahavir walked from town to town, covering great distances between dawn and dusk.
Long league on league, without fatigue, The great Mahavir trod In lonely quest of his own self, Another name for God !
Arriving at a certain town He rested for a while : The townsfolk flocked around him, and Drew nectar from his smile.
"'I wish to go to the next town, Pray, tell me how to go, I wish to take the shorter route, The shortest that you know."
The townsfolk said in one accord : "O Sire ! we wish to say : The shorter route is most unsafe, Prefer the longer way.
“Nobody takes the shorter route Since there, along it lies A twining serpent who has twin Volcanic holes for eyes;
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