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THE HYMN OF SACRIFICE WORDS gushed out of Bhagwan Mahavira's mouth like the Niagara Falls and the grandeur of their melody soothed the burning hearts of angels as well as human beings. Speaking on the beneficence of sacrifice, Bhagwan said, “the river quenches man's thirst with her fresh water; trees satisfy man's hunger with their luscious fruits ; sandalwood yields its cooling paste to soothe his burning skin; the sugar-cane rewards with its sweet juice those who crush it. Should not man then yield something? Man is greater than all these; his contribution should be greater too."
Just as the parched soil absorbs water, so too the heart of Mahanama of Kapilvastu absorbed these inspiring words of Bhagwan. Meditating on these inspiring words, he returned to his home town of Kapilvastu. just in time to hear the fearful tidingsthat Raja Viddubha of Shravasti had invaded Kapilvastu. He was already on his way with a large host and there was no hope to save the town from devastation. The peace-loving heart of Mahanama cried out in agony, “What madness seizes these rulers drunk with power? Why can't they let people be at peace?
To satisfy their lust for power or retribution, they overrun each other's territory, deaf to the piteous cries of their innocent victims.”
Even as he was thus thinking, a rumour ran like wild fire through the town that their ruler had abandoned the town, leaving the people to the foe's mercy.
II6
