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Bhagwan Mahavir ]
[ 405
holding your foot up in the same position steadily and continually for three days. On the third day, when the fire was extinguished, and all the beasts of the forest that had taken shelter there, had gone away, you wanted to go to the lake in order to drink water. But as you had not drunk or eaten anything for the last three days, and had been standing only on three legs all alone, you had grown very weak and as soon as you placed your fourth foot on the ground, you fell and died. You must know, O wise Megha-Muni, that the next life of every living being is just in accordance with his thoughts and actions in his previous life. It is on account of your courage, intention to do good to others, aņd kindnees to other living creatures during only the three last days of your previous life that you have been born as a famous Prince in this life. You have been able to attain the gem of Samyaktva mainly due to your protection of the life of other living creatures. In your previous birth you were the leader of a herd of elephants; in this you are no less than a prince. Now consider that when only three days' practice of good conduct has raised your life so much, how much more can you improve if you practise it wisely in the remaining part of your life. O newly consecrated hermit, now you must have understood the importance of asceticism well. Asceticism is the only medicine to cure all kinds of diseases of worldliness. Therefore, do as you like now. But remember that to be afraid of miseries is the characteristic of cowards. It is a matter of great shame to such warriors as you to fear miseries that are to come. The more important a thing, the more does it cost. Therefore, if you want to get freedom (from worldliness ), you must have to pay a high price for it; you
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