Bhagavana Mahavira

Author(s): Chauthmal Maharaj
Publisher: Jainoday Pustak Prakashan Samiti Ratlam

Page 61

287
[ The Tirthankaras and the Aras
to this above. It is the most unchangable law of this world that whenever there is a remarkable decrease in natural gifts, the feeling of self-conceit and hatred take their abode in the hearts of men who proceed in the direction of effecting fulfilment of their selfish ends. An insufficiency of nature's gifts on the one hand and an increasing desire in man to preserve things for a future use on the other, commingle to multiply these feelings still more. So, when the people, in that period, become aware of a decrease in the number of Kalpavrikshas ( Desire fulfilling trees ) many kinds of feelings immediately sprang up into their hearts which led them to say, "These trees are ours; those bushes are theirs; none but us is entitled to take the fruits of these trees; and by what authority did a certain man pick up the fruit from our trees ? etc.” The Kula-karas ( patriarchs ) felt very much aggrieved to hear such disputes among their fellow men, and they tried to pacify them. Thinking that they were actuated simply by a feeling of kindness and doing good to others people accepted their advice. Except such a compromise, there was no established law of the state nor any rule for punishment of crimes. As selfishness increased step by step, the peace-making policy of the patriarchs changed accordingly. And, later on they began to use such different harshes as "Oh! you have done this ? Alas !" The guilty were cut to the quick to hear these words: they realised their mistake and showed regret for it. After these Patriarchs, Kshemandhara and Vimala Vahana were made heads, Chakshushman was the son of Vimala Vahana. He succeeded to the patriarchate after his father's death. In their time, too, the words "Oh ! you have done this ? Alas !" served as a sort of punishment;