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CANDAKAUSIKA - A DEADLY COBRA ENLIGHTENED BY MAHAVIRA
A monk died in a fit of anger and was born as a cobra. As eyes emitted venom, anything coming within the sphere of his vision succumbed to the deadly poison. Therefore no one used to cross the forest which was its habitat. Bhagavan Mahāvīra knew this by his
divine knowledge and in order to enlighten the cobra by his universal love he entered the forest and stood motionless in meditation by the place where the cobra resided. The proud kingcobra rushed out of its hole, hissing and gazing at Bhagavān Mahāvīra. But he stood motionless and unperturbed. Blind with rage, the cobra bit him on the toe. But milk-like blood started flowing from the toe. Bhagavān Mahāvīra cast a gentle glance and said, "O Candakausika, be enlightened and attain peace of mind." The words had magic effect. Repenting sincerely for the past sins, he renounced violence.
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