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TAM MAHAVIRA
17
My brother asked them, "Why do you want that only my brother should enforce this path. The religion of non-violence is an
ancient religion."
The royal priests replied, "O Lord, all the people have forgotten this religion. They are putting the public in troubles due
to the puff of their caste and selfishness. We have to explain this
religion to them in a new form. The prince Mahāvīra is the best
person to do this job. We can imagine your mental agony, but this is nothing in comparison to the troubles of the people. We, therefore, request you to permit him to follow the path of spiritual practices to improve the happiness content of the world."
My brother was highly impressed by the expressions of the
royal priests. He permitted me to get initiated. I was given a royal farewell for adopting this path in the month of Māgha (JanuaryFeb.). I was taken in a royal palanquin to the Jñātri forest. There I took off my clothes and ornaments and donated them to all. I kept only a divine piece of cloth. I broke my relations off from my kiths
and kins and moved on to the road of having relationship with the
people of the world.
I had just walked about a Kosa (2 miles) that I hard the sound of uncle Somu. I stopped for a while. He came to me and said,'" You have donated many things to many people. But you
have not given any thing to me."
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