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Glimpses of World Religions
discipline including truth and was a believer of justice. The commander-in-chief of Kunik rushed in shouting the challanges like “Swing the sword, wound me to kill me !" In reply Varuna spoke :- “O’you brave one with long hands ! I am a Shrawak and I happen to observe such a ‘Vrat (religious observance) by which, I am forbidden to strike first; self-defence is my warstrategy and ‘Dharma'.” At the time of death, having done the 'santharo' of grass-leaves, and Sanlekhnā observance, accepted liberation by ‘Samadhi' or deep meditation.
King Kumarpāl sent his minister Udayan to conquer king Samar of Sorath. This minister Udayan was on the death-bed, almost breathing last, being wounded seriously. The commander inquired of Udayan as to his last wish. He replied, “My last wish is to see (have a darshan of) a Sadhu, having vowed 5 religious observances. Now, how to catch hold of a Sadhu in the battle-ground ?” The commander played and brought one Bahuroopi (person who could assume many forms) man of Targālā caste in the guise of a Sadhu. The Bahuroopi made Udayan listen to the duty at death-bed sermon, exactly in the same fashion as a Jain Sadhu does. Udayan experienced a marvellous divine peace. On this side, that ‘Bahuroopi’ man thought, “If by my one day's acting only, Udayan could get peace, Samādhi and heavenly bliss (Sadgati), in fact, what powers could not a real saintliness achieve by grand and divine power ?” This mental musings changed altogether the direction of the life of that Bahuroopi Targālā. Submitting at the saintly feet of a good Guru (teacher) he lived like a saint of good conduct throughout his life.
Sudarshan who refused to submit to Abhayā queen's demand for breaking the vow of celibacy and to 'indulge', was a victim of her malicious play to hang him but in the end, when
