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DU
The guards attacked with arrows but failed to stop the rushing herd. It was a scene resembling an earthquake.
Ascetic Arvind thought—'Why this devastation ?
In order to protect the pilgrims, he got up, went in the direction of the approaching herd and stood in meditation.
The terrified pilgrims gathered behind the ascetic. The aura of the power of the ascetic's austerities acted as a shield confronting the elephants.
Raising their trunks and trumpeting in anger, the elephants stopped in their tracks. The king elephant came ahead and ordered—“Why have you stopped ? Move forward. Make them run. Kill them."
But no elephant stepped ahead. The moment the king elephant saw ascetic Arvind standing in front, he also stood stone still. He trumpeted, waved his trunk and lifted his legs. But he also failed to take even one forward step. He ordered the herd—“Stop destruction and be calm." He thought-Who is this hermit? Why is he stopping us?
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