I am Mahavira

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 64

I AM MAHĀVĪRA
55
This is the stage of his full development. This requires the practice of winning over the "internal enemies."
"A son of a householder was thrown by an elephant on the road after catching him by his trunk. He became unconscious. The father thought, 'Oh, my son is dead". He began weeping. However, the unconscious boy was treated and he became normal. The householder was pleased to see him alive and healthy. This type of experience is always there in normal human life. The ignorance causes pains and sorrow. The knowledge bestows pleasure. The way to be happy is to acquire knowledge."
" But only the knowledge can not lead to happiness. It gives only an imaginary joy. The happiness accrues by actions and behaviours as per right knowledge."
"There was a blind man in a forest. He lost his way. There
was a lame man also wandering in the same forest. Unfortunately, the forest caught fire. The blind man moved hither and thither. But where to go? The poor man was burnt in the forest. The same fate caught the lame man also. He could go to all sides, but how could
he move? The blind has only action but no knowledge. In contrast,
the lame man had only knowledge but no action. Thus, neither of
them could save themselves Had there been action along with the knowledge and the blind man could move with the support of the
lame man, both of them could have been saved."