Bhagvana Mahavira

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

Page 41

The Period of Sadhana
38
your disciples had entreated you to do a penance for the sin but you refused to do so.
“Enraged by the repeated entreaties of the disciple, you tried to strike him and having lost the sense of proportion you crashed against a pillar and broke your head. In the next life, you became the head of this hermitage where the inmates practised spiritual discipline. As you were prone to great anger, you were named Caņdakauśika. Once the prince of Svetāmbi came to your hermitage and while he was plucking fruits and flowers you became so much enraged that you ran after him with an axe in your hand. You slipped on the ground and fell into a ditch and were fatally injured by your own axe. After the death, there you are as a reborn deadly poisonous serpent. You have already suffered much due to your passionate nature. Leave the passion of anger like your worn-out skin and be peaceful once for all.”
Candakaušika began to remember its past life. All the events of that life began to float in its memory. His heart changed and the seeds of equalitarianism for all living beings began to sprout in him.
Bhagavān Mahāvīra lived for fifteen days in the hermitage and observed complete fast during this period. The serpent aiso sat in attendance and fasted. On the fifteenth dark night of the lunar month of the Caitra, Candakausika gave up its body. Bhagavān Mahāvīra went to Uttaravācālā to break his fast. He would not accept food especially prepared for him. Whatever food he got already cooked, he accepted it. While in search of such food, he went to the house of one, Nāgasena. Nāgasena offered him rice-pudding. Nāgasena was very happy. Incidentally, his son who had been absconding for the last twelve years, returned. Nāgasena's joy knew no bounds. After his meals Bhagavān Mahāvīra left Vācālā and proceeded further.
During the period of his sädhanā, Bhagavān Mahāvīra mostly observed fast. The days of fasting outnumbered those