Bhagvana Mahavira

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

Page 66

VI TRANSVALUATION
Bhagavān Mahāvīra lived the life of a householder for thirty years. He remained absorbed in sādhanā for twelve and a half years. During the fortythird year of his age he attained the state of kevali. After attaining the omniscience he began to propound the eternal Dharma. He uplifted the common people to a higher moral and spiritual standard and satisfied their desire for knowledge.
Once he left Vaiśājí for Kausambi where Jayanti, the sister of King Satānika, asked him a few questions :
"Lord ! what is better for the living beings-to sleep or to keep waking ?”
Bhagavān Mahāvīra : “Both sleeping and waking are good.”
Jayanti : "How ?”
Bhagavān Mahāvīra : "It is better for irreligious people to sleep, because in that state they will not inflict pain on anybody. But it is better for religious people to keep waking, because in the waking state they practise religion and do not injure anybody."
Jayanti : "What is better for the living beings--to be weak or strong ?”
Bhagavān Mahāvīra : “Both-being weak and strong are good."
Jayanti : “How ?"
Bhagavān Mahāvīra : "Irreligious people earn their living by immoral means. It is better if such people are weak.