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[ The Cowherds cruelty towards the Lord
we be able to bear this horrible sight. You have to lift up the creatures of the world with the help of this physical form of yours. Have we no duty with you in such a time ? O Lord, kindly permit us to attend on you in the form of servants, so that we might serve you as your body-guards." The Lord answered him coolly and with a smiling face, “ O Indra, firstly, a man is protected by his karmas done in the previous life when he is in the forest, battlefield, among his enemies, in water, fire, ocean, steep or crag, or in sleep or swoon, that is, in the time of danger, when there is no other protection, a man's karmas of his previous births protect him. Secondly, a man pierced with a hundred arrows cannot die unless and until his destined time has come. But the same man when his destined time has come, dies at the mere touch of a straw. Thirdly, those who are Tirthankaras” Never receive such help from other to conquer their internal enemies, in the form of their karmas. They face all the obstacles, worries and troubles, confidently, with their own brilliance and spiritual force and bear them smilingly. The sole object of their birth and life is to achive Kevala-jnana or Omniscience through their own spiritual development. After attaining Kevala-Jnana of this type, they desire to effect their spiritual development as well as that of others, paying no heed to what people say about their efforts in this connection. O Shakrendra, there is not the least tinge of self-glorification or any disregard for your proposed help.”
O Readers I did you see the high ideals of great souls, and the enormous difficulties in their paths ? This is why the people of this world accept them at their ideals; they try to follow them in their foot-steps. Indeed, they are the friends of the entire world. They alone have the power to
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