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57. KAMDEV SHRAVAK
In the ancient volumes of Dradashangi (a group of twelve anga works) is the life story
of Kamdev Shravak, a highly religious-minded and devoted soul. A resident of Champanagari, the affluent Kamdev spent fourteen years in the service of religion. Then he thought of renouncing everything and spending the rest of his life as an ascetic observing the twelve vows of a shravak (a jain layman). One morning he renounced the world and sat
in meditation.
Once Saudharmendra, during the course of his address before the religious congregation, praised Kamdev for his deep involvement in matters religious. But a doubt was raised about his commitment to religion. "Will it waver in the face of fear, wealth or a beautiful damsel ?" asked a god. It was, therefore decided to test Kamdev's commitment. With this intention in mind Saudharmendra then, assumed hideous form to frighten. Kamdev.
He appeared before him and roared, "Give up your meditation, O Kamdev, or else this dagger will cut you into two. Forget your fake religion and be a householder again. Save yourself from an untimely death." But Kamdev was unperturbed. When the god again tried to frighten him and threaten him with dire consequences, Kamdev said: "Don't threaten me. I have the bulwark of my religion to protect me. You cannot harm me. I am as steadfast as a rock in my resolution."
The god was furious on being challenged and gave a resounding blow of the dagger but nothing happened to Kamdev. He was serenity incarnate, with no fear writ on the face. Then the god assumed the form of an elephant. He, then, said, "O hypocrite! I will trample you under my feet and crush your bones to powder." So saying the god pounced upon him but Kamdev was calm and composed. At last the god assumed the form of a poisonous, hooded serpent and entwined round Kamdev's body. He said, " Take refuge at my feet and give up religion. Else I will bite you at thousand places and the lethal poison will spread through your body. You will die a miserable death." But Kamdev was his usual self, unperturbed, calm. The serpent entwined itself round his body and began to bite him. The poison caused him intolerable pain, but he did not utter a word. He thought the pain was to the body, not to the soul. He was in deep meditation, thinking of Bhagwan Mahavir. Nothing happened to him.
Who can harm the staunch devotee of Bhagwan Mahavir ? The god failed in frightening Kamdev and in setting him off course from the path he had chosen. The god finally conceded defeat, and realised his folly. He, then, bowed to Shravak Kamdev and said, "Forgive me. You are a staunch devotee of Bhagwan Mahavir. My pride has melted. You are like a sandalwood tree spreading its fragrance everywhere and bestowing coolness on one and all. I accept you as my Acharya, my Guru."
Thus saying, he again bowed to Kamdev and left for his heavenly abode. Kamdev, then, went to see Bhagwan Mahavir. Bhagwan, in the presence of his disciples, praised the steadfastness of Kamdev. He told them, "A shravak suffers so much. What about you, then? You are all out to conquer the vices that beset the mankind and a lot is expected of you." The disciples got the message and were all praise for Kamdev's devotion. Kamdev, at last, became a realised soul.
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