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BHAGAWÄN MAHÄVIR
celibacy, and non-possession in order to avoid accumulating new karma and to annihilate past karmas. Right after initiation (Diksha), Mahävir acquired the "Manah-Paryaya Jnän", knowledge that allowed him to perceive the feelings and thoughts of all living beings. Removal of Poverty After the renunciation his heart was filled with equanimity and compassion. He walked with firm and steady steps towards the jungle without turning around or hesitating. On his way, he met a wiry and weak poor man, moving briskly with the help of a stick. The poor man fell at the feet of the ascetic Mahävir. Tears were flowing from his eyes and there was an expressive pain on his
pitiable face. He uttered humbly, "Prince Vardhamän! have pity on this poor destitute. Remove my poverty with your kind hands. Mahävir was filled with compassion, but today he had nothing to give. He suddenly thought of the divine cloth on his shoulder. He tore it into two and gave one to the poor person. He was filled with joy.
Ascetic Mahävir donates a Keval-jnän (Absolute Knowledge) Kalyanak piece of cloth to the poor
Mahävir swami remained in deep meditation and practiced severe austerities for a period of twelve and a half years. During this meditation period:
He resided in parks, forests and deserted places and observed fasts lasting from a single day to up to six months He was saved from a whipping by a cowherd who felt that Bhagawan Mahävir had hidden his cows. Bhagawan Mahävir refused the help of the angels to look after him through his meditation from similar incidences He faced a fierce and poisonous snake, Chandkaushik, and calmed him down with his compassionate approach He accepted food from a house-maid, Chandanbälä, to break his approximately 6 months long fast
He suffered peacefully when a farmer hammered nails in his ears He endured all adverse conditions and hardships caused by rustic aborigines with patience and
forgiveness During this period, he progressed spiritually and ultimately destroyed all four destructive (Ghäti) Karmas and attained absolute knowledge on the tenth day of the bright half of the
Bhagawan Mahävir attained Keval-jnän while sitting in the "cow milking" posture on the banks of the river Rujuväluka
JAIN STORY BOOK
