________________
Bhagawan Mahavir )
[ 331
At the time of his previous Upasargas Lord Mahavira was undergoing a penance of six months. As soon as the penance was over, god sangama arranged for fresh Upasargas for him. He defiled all pure food and water in the village Gokula where the Lord had gone for parana, i. e, taking food at the end of the course of penance. Although, the lord knew it quite well that all the mischief had been done by Singama, he did not bear any feeling of anger and batred for him. When god sarigama saw that even the want of food and water had made no change in the attitude of the Lord, had not disturbed his mind in the least and had not been able to deviate him from his firm resolve, he realized the strength of his supernatural and spiritual powers. He now felt somewhat afraid, was confused and surprised; and all his pride and courage turned at once into shame and disappointment. He realised the truth of Indra's words, for he found more virtues in the Lord than Indra himself had pointed out. He now felt that Lord Mahavira was none other than the liberator of the world in the form of a human being. At last, he fell at the feet of the Lord and requested him to pardon his faults. The Lord too taking him to be his own well-wisher, pardoned him. Thereafter, the god Sangama praised the Lord very highly and returned to his own place.
When god Sangama reached the celestial region, Indra got very angry with him. He said in the assembly of the gods, “I kept silent because Lord Mahavira does not want to be helped by others; otherwise, this god could not have the courage to trouble him for six months together. However, I now look down upon him with a feeling of strong aversion and ask him to leave this assembly presently”. With these
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
