Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 34

III THE PERIOD OF SĀDHANA (SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE)
The Sacred Grove
After becoming an ascetic, Vardhamāna needed no secu rity. He was no longer a private individual now. He began to treat everyone as a welcome visitor with whatever purpose he came. His life of spiritual discipline began with the resolution : "I dedicate myself to the highest liberation. I shall no longer be interested in my physical body and shall bear all kinds of calamities whether they are brought about by gods, human agencies or animals. I shall in no case deviate from the path of sådhanä.”
His sādhanā began with the above resolution. This was an exhibition of his spiritual strength. The seeds of spiritual strength are inherent in every man. What is needed is a strong will to enable them to sprout. A weak person will keep them dormant. Vardhamāna knew his will. He had been resolute from the very beginning. His will-power began to exert itself. A man who is irresolute becomes a prey to all kinds of fears. Only he who fears needs security. Sramana Vardhamāna had shed all fear. He had risen above his old limitations. He took the entire world to be a testing ground of his courage.
Fear remains entrenched in the body. One who attaches no importance to the body is never afraid of anything. By giving up attachment to the body, Vardhamana became fearless.
Fear is born of the desire for possessions or possessiveness. Vardhamāna became fearless, because he had assumed