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[ The Previous Lives of Lord Mahavira
by following his religious instructions. But, being overpowered by pride and jealousy he missed that golden opportunity which should have proved very auspicious for him in securing a high position in the next birth. Thus he courted a measureless bondage of karmans without reflecting for a moment how very troublesome it would prove in his futture lives It is rightly said that impetuous and boastful people show their bravery only in ruining the cause of others and their own, and this becomes their principal duty in life. The taunting remarks made by Vishakhanandi in derision of Vishvabhuti, not only entangled him in karmic bondage but they also became the cause of Vishvabhuti's ruin. The face of the fiery hermit flushed with anger and what was fated loomed large before his eyes. He quite forget that he was a hermit. His memory failed, the prudence also was lost and spiritual powers followed suit after that which meant a complete ruin of himself and his attainments. It is therefore advisable that a man must think before he acts, for the unthoughtful and the indiscreet fall at every step and in a hundred ways.
The saint too had better realised his position as a Sadhu (hermit) and acted wisely and patiently at this juncture. This would have surely saved the situation and averted the ruin of his own spiritual powers without constraining Vishakhanandi to bring about disaster upon himself. At the same time it was his duty not to think ill of his foe, because the saints are, by nature, given to the welfare of others. They are called 'Sadhus' so long as they keep aloof from the impious feelings of lust, anger, greed and imfatuation; and as soon as they allow themselves to be overpowered by these feelings they fall from their position. A saint ought
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