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THE LORD AND HIS DISCIPLE The sun lit up the earth with its golden beams as Bhagwan Mahavira arrived to enlighten the minds of the thousands who had assembled in the vast grounds of the royal palace. Even King Bimbisara of Magadha was present, eager to see and hear the holiest of holies.
The vast concourse of humanity experienced a thrill of awe and bliss at the sight of his gracious personality, his benign face, his serene eyes. His speech, fresh and sweet and forceful as the holy waters of the Ganga gushing down the lofty Himalayas, flooded the hearts of the congregation with an overflowing happiness. . .
Then arose Gautama, brilliant as the sun yet gentle as the moon, and asked his guru a question that was in everybody's mind: "My Lord, would you tell us what makes the soul heavy and base and what makes it light and sublime:”
The question was grave and pertinent. All wanted to lighten the load of life and were naturally eager to know Bhagwan's solution to this baffling problem.
For a moment Bhagwan gazed at his breathless congregation with his compassionate eyes and then spoke:
"Gautama, we are all aware of the quality of a hollow- gourd to keep afloat. It is in its very nature.
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