________________
[33]
Days passed and nights went by of sleep bereft.. Unruffled and alone, Mahavir left Koshambi to continue on his way, Unconscicus of the night and of the day, Unconscious of the dusk and of the dawn, Quest-quiet, shining, solitary soulThe mendicant went on and on and on, And on and on he went towards his goal.
Betwixt twin harmonies of earth and sky, He was convinced that death itself would die Through his ripe realisation....
"I will leave Hunger alone to burn till I receive Dole offered by a princess. Lo ! from now I vow I shall not break a vow Made in the Court of Angels.
And he said:
“That princess shall be beautiful, her head Clean-shaven; fetters round her hands and feet: A slave-girl who has had no food to eat For three entire sobbing days and nights. And when, on my arrival, she invites These hands to stretch in silence for an alms, I will, in revenence, on outspread palms Receive it as from one of angel-clan: Black lentils doled out of a winnowing fan. She must await me, even as a mother
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
