________________
Mahakal, The Monster
"Mother! Kindly stop grieving and tell me what the matter is. I honour, revere and adore Acharya Parvat who has taken my teacher's place as much as I honoured, revered and adored my great teacher Kshirakadambacharya. Even the Vedas say that the teacher's son should be revered as much as the teacher".
181
"Oh king! You are, indeed blessed. Your words fill me with boundless peace and happiness. I am supremely pleased with you".
"But mother! You have not told me from what danger or from whom my teacher's son Parvat has to be saved. Which insolent fellow is causing danger to his life? He who has thought of killing Parvat is courting death. His days are done; and his death is certain. Why do you get agitated over this matter? As long as Vasu is alive, there is no power in this universe that can cause any danger to Parvat's life". When King Vasu learnt from her the danger in which Parvat was caught, his anger knew no bounds.
After securing from King Vasu the assurance that he would save the life of her son, Parvat, she narrated to him the entire story of the arguments between Narad and her son; her son's challenge that he whose interpretation was wrong should cut off his tongue; and his choice of Vasu, the king to act as the judge. Then she requested him to save her son's life somehow or the other.
Hearing the story narrated by his Gurudev's wife, King Vasu was greatly shocked. If he had to save the life of Parvat he had to utter a lie. That would be a blow to his soul dealt by himself. That would be acting against his conscience. Looking towards the noble lady, he said:
"Oh mother! How can a truthful man like me utter a lie ! Even if I were to die I cannot utter a lie. Kindly pardon me mother! I can never do such a thing!"
"But only once....my child! Only once. You need not utter a lie again". She said in absolute distress and helplessness.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
