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Bhagawan Mahavir )
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. After taking these austere vows, the Lord at once left that place and did not wait even for the end of the rainy season. Although other hermits were much pleased with his going a way, the head ascetic repented for what he had done. He tried to trace out the Lord, but in vain. THE ENTRY OF THE LORD IN ASTHIKA GRAMA AND THE ATTAINMENT OF SAMYAKTVA (RIGHT FAITH)
BY AYAKSHA.
From Moraka, the Lord went to a neighbouring village, named Asthika. It is said that a Yaksha, named Shula-Pani, lived near that village. He used to kill all those who passed by him and placed their bones at a certain place. By and by there was a great heap of bones, and it was due to this heap of bones that the village was named as Asthika (Bony). The people of that village were always in danger of being killed by the Yaksha, and finding no other way of escape, they tried to please the Yaksha himself by worshipping him. On his arrival in the village, the Lord heard this story and desired to stay for meditation in the very abode of the Yaksha. But the people were very much alarmed to hear this determination of the Lord. They said,” Lord! It is never advisable to live near the abode of that man-eater. When his very presence forebades death, how can your Lordship think of meditating in his abode ? Your Lordship has yet much to do for the welfare of this world, and as such it is not desirable that you should put your life in danger in this way. Although we offer him our services, worships and oblations in order to please him, still, we are always afraid of being killed by him. It seems we were not born to live fearlessly. To talk of staying in the abode of the Yaksha is
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