________________
In The Forest Of Dandakaranya
453
“Palak! I will first jump into the crusher.”
"No, Gurudev, I will first leap into it,” said a young muni holding Skandakacharya's hands.
Palak was looking at the sight with his eyes widened with astonishment. Then the first disciple of the acharya jumped into the crusher, shouting, "Victory to Rishabhdev. Victory to Munisuvrat." The crusher began revolving. Suddenly Skandakacharya's voice was heard : "Oh hero! Seek the refuge of the Arihant and the other four Parameshtis.”
"I salute the Arihantas ! I salute the Siddhas ! I salute the Acharyas ! I salute the teachers and I salute all sadhus.”
Thud... thudud. ... the bones were cracking. The machine was cracking the bones. Steaming blood flowed and the muni who was absorbed in Shukladhyan attained Kevaljnan. He attained salvation.
Another muni jumped into the crusher and he was also crushed. While Palak was crushing the bones the munis were crushing their karmas.
One after another the munis jumped into the crusher. Palak crushed them. The munis attained moksha but Palak kept gathering sins.
This went on for sometime. At last two remained; Skandakacharya and a young muni.
Skandakacharya addressed Palak and said, “Palak, now you may crush me also. I cannot bear to see this young muni being crushed. At least, grant this wish of mine."
But Palak wanted Skandakacharya to experience as much agony as possible. So he did not care for his appeal. He stuck to his guns.
Then the young Muni came forward and said, "First crush me to death. Let me destroy my karmas,"
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
