Tirthankar Mahavir

SR No.: 020834
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 235
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 57 MB

Page 76

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
Indra said, “O venerable One, in the coming twelve years of your spiritual practice and austerity there will be many such calamities, afflictions and inflictions. Ignorant, malicious animals and people will inflict pains and sufferings on you. They will unnecessarily harass you. Therefore, please allow me to always be with you. I shall look after you and you will be able to engage yourself in meditation without any hindrance."
Mahavira answered, "The real spiritual practitioner never accepts the help of others. He should help himself. He should be self-dependent. One who is looking to destroy his internal enemies should achieve this goal singlehanded. One has to walk alone on the path of Ultimate Release. The strength or company of another is of no consequence in the life of the spiritual practitioner. If one endures hardships, calamities, bodily pains, afflictions with an unagitated calm mind, one will become spiritually strong and pure."
On hearing Mahavira's noble words, Indra with great devotion, bowed before Mahavira and then returned to his celestial abode.
The Five Great Resolves Conducive to Spiritual Living
Mahavira left Karmaragrama and continued his journey on foot. It was the second day of his ascetic life. He reached a suburban town - Kollaka Sannivesha - near the city of Vaishali. The town was mainly inhabited by members of the warrior class, belonging to the Jnatru lineage. On the outskirts of the town there was a beautiful park with a small temple called "Dyutipalasha". Mahavira broke his two-day-long fast with khira (rice pudding) which he had obtained in alms at the house of Bahula Brahmana. The first tirthankara - the venerable Rushabhadeva - broke his first fast after renunciation with sugarcane juice, whilst the remaining twenty-three tirthankaras broke their fast after renunciation with khira. Both are as sweet as nectar and were obtained in alms by the tirthankaras.
Mahavira went to Moraka Sannivesha from Kollaka Sannivesha. At Moraka Sannivesha, there was a big hermitage of the duijjamta tapsa ascetics. The hermitage was on the bank of a beautiful spring near the boundary of a fodder-field. The head of the hermitage was a close friend of king Siddhartha. On seeing Mahavira approach, the head of the hermitage (who was a family friend of king Siddhartha) ran towards Mahavira and spread his arms to embrace him. Mahavira too, opened his arms to embrace him.
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