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had collected only temporary props. They were unable to help him stand on his own two feet and accept the challenges of life. The glimpse he had experienced at Pävāpuri was real, but it had faded away, like a morning dream. What he needed now was to take a step toward himself.
The Achārya's words kept on reverberating in his consciousness. Their appeal lay in the promise that indeed there was an answer to his questions, and that, in time, it would reveal itself from within his own being. Again and again his teacher verified that the treasure sought for lay within. Outwardly, the monkhood would free him from mundane demands, but the real disengagement would take place over many years of self-study and on deep inner levels.
Acharya Anand Sāgarsuriji told him not to be in a hurry. He gave him the example of Mahāvir for his inspiration. Mahāvir took twelve and a half years of austerity, self-inquiry, and deep contemplation to reach the ultimate answer. Only when he had attained complete Self-Realization and omniscient understanding did he break his silence and share his discoveries with others.
Rup kept the story of Mahavir in the forefront of his mind. It helped him realize, too, why the Achārya was devoting so much time and energy to building the Agamamandir to house and protect the utterances which came from Mahāvir’s living experience. Rup remained at Pālitānā to study with his newfound teacher and to serve him in numerous ways, running errands, helping him write letters to the various artisans, scientists, painters, and architects, inviting them to participate in the great project of engraving and housing the Agamas. He felt elated to remain in the presence of his Master and to be useful to him in small ways throughout the days. In this period, he felt his sorrow come and go, depending on how busy the Master kept him!
Moreover, he was able to observe firsthand how the Master lived and moved in uninterrupted peace and joy. He noticed that he was a silent egoless worker, unaware of his virtues. The longer he spent in his presence, the more he felt the rightness of his step and the promise in the path he had chosen. At times, he had a chance to ask him questions. He
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