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teacher who can impart the conventional knowledge of letters to him. The world and its inherent nature are his book. Every moment he ponders over it and absorbing the essence moves in the direction of the fundamentals of immortality.
When his rumination reached a climax he decided to renounce the world and get initiated. He did not elope silently on some dark night without informing someone. He informed his parents and other members of the family, and sought their permission; proceeded to Jñātrakhanda garden, a garden belonging to the ksatriyas of Jñātra clan and located northeast of Ksatriya Kundapura; discarded his clothes, got initiated as other Tirtharkaras did, and commenced his meditation.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OF MAHĀVĪRA
Demands of his sense organs or cravings of mind never dominated him. He disciplined his mind and senses with unprecedented strictness. Once he chanced to wander into the Lādha country inhabited by primitive aborigines who treated him savagely. They unleashed hunting dogs at him. Seeing his strong and beautiful body, made radiant by austerities, many women tried to seduce him with gestures, sweet words, and even by wantonly rubbing their naked bodies with his. Many people pelted stones at him and many others worshipped and made offerings to him. But he was equanimous to all this. He was devoid of both attachment and aversion. In a cremation ground in Ujjaini, Rūdra (a demonic deity) inflicted grave afflictions on him but he remained unmoved.
For twelve years he observed absolute silence. But his introvert silence was pregnant with the treasure of truth. This silent truth started removing the dogma of falsity and veil of irrational ignorance engulfing the human psyche. His ire-less silence and compassionate attitude had profound influence over masses.
THE DELIVERENCE OF CANDANABĀLĀ
Slavery was prevalent in India during that period. Kidnapped beautiful women were displayed and auctioned on road crossings. From far away countries, shiploads of beautiful women were brought to Bharukaccha port and sent to markets of Śrāvastī, Kauśāmbi, Vatsa,
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