Jainism The Cosmic Vision

SR No.: 034278
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Mahavir Foundation
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 137
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 2 MB

Page 65

Non-Violence : A Way of Life Mahavira said, "Not only mine; you can be the friend of the whole world. Overcome by feelings of anger and spite, you were preying on human bones. But violence never gives you peace. It is only by forgiveness and love that peace is realized. I know that you bear revenge against this town. But the cure for revenge is not revenge, but love."
Jainism: The Cosmic Vision yaksha would scare and prosecute the man and the man would die of fright. Fear itself is not dangerous, but the fear of fear is dangerous. Even Indrasharma, the worshipper of the temple, was afraid of the yaksha. But Mahavira was not afraid of anybody. He said, "I do not fear anybody and do not cause fear to anybody. I will stay in the temple for the night."
It was now getting dark. The priest of the temple had left. Mahavira was standing in deep meditation. Shoolpani, the yaksha, appeared. He had in his hand a terrible shoola (lance) glittering like lightning. He looked like fierceness itself. Thinking that he would get a bellyful for his food, he burst into a peal of cruel loud laughter. Even the strongest men were frightened by the laughter. But like a thunderbolt Mahavira stood firm and unperturbed. The yaksha assumed the forms of an elephant, an evil spirit and a snake. He inflicted endless wounds on Mahavira's body. By his miraculous powers, the yaksha caused severe pain in Mahavira's eyes, ears, nose, head and everywhere. But Mahavira stood firm like the Sumeru mountain.
As gentle rain falls on the hot earth, so Mahavira's words pacified yaksha's bruised spirit. His heart brimmed over with the redeeming waters of love and compassion.
The whole night Mahavira was visited with great calamities. At last Shoolpani, the yaksha, got dead tired. His monstrous physical strength surrendered to Mahavira's spiritual power in the end. Gradually his heart underwent a change. He bowed down at the feet of Mahavira and said, "O, Lord ! Pardon me. I did not recognize you."
Mahavira said, "It is an enemy that is pardoned. You are my friend."
The yaksha was surprised. He said, "Am I a friend ? And yours? How much I tortured you !"
In the course of his sojourn, Bhagwan again came to pass through Moraka town. There lived in this town a hypocritical astrologer of the Achchhandaka clan who cheated ignorant and credulous people with stories of false miracles. On account of Bhagwan's presence and through the infleunce of his practice of meditation and penance, the hold of Achchhandakas abated.
While Bhagwan was going on a journey from south Vachala to north Vachala, he did his preaching for the benefit of the snake, Chandakaushika. Then a god named Sangama caused a number of torments to Mahavira, but through all these travails, Bhagwan's face shone bright like gold as if it was the mid-day sun. For six long months, he caused innumerable torments to Mahavira, but Mahavira constantly pursued his path of austeriety. Disappointed and dejected, Sangamadeva fell at the feet of Mahavira. Tried and defeated Sangama said in a voice choked with emotion, "I am Sangama. I did not recognize you. You are adorable even by Gods, not alone men. Wonderful is your self-control. Matchless are your forgiveness and tolerance."
Though Mahavira was tormented for six months, not a
116
117