Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 73

very angry with Mahavir-Swami because he thought that Mahavir-Swami had been hiding his cows. Therefore, he took out his rope and was about to whip MahavirSwami with it. Just then, an angel from heaven came down and held the rope.
Can't you not see that MahavirSwami is in deep meditation?" the angel asked.
"But he tricked me!" said the cow herder, The angel replied, "He is in meditation and did not hear you. He was prince Vardhaman before becoming a monk. He did not do anything to your cows. You would acquire bad Karmas for hurting him."
The cow herder realized that lie had made a mistake. He apologized to Mahavir-Swami and went silently.
Then, the angel bowed down to Mahavir-swami and requested, "Oh Lord, I would like to be at your service as you will have to undergo many hardships during your spiritual journey."
Indra asked Mahavir if he could provide protection. Mahavir replied in all humility that an ascetic on a spiritual path reaches his goal of purity with the help of his own practice, courage, and discipline. It is without the help of heavenly gods or humans that one should shed all its Karma to attain liberation. On hearing this, Indra bowed with reverence and departed.
Afflictions by
SULPANI
Sulpani harassing Bhagawan Mahavir by assuming various forms
QWM
hen the wandering Bhagawan Mahavir came to a village called Asthikagram. he wanted to spend the night in the temple dedicated to a demon (Yaksha) called Sulpani. The villagers warned him that the wicked Yaksha tortures to death any traveler who spends the night in that shrine. But Mahavir insisted on staying there overnight. The Yaksha became enraged and furious as he thought that this was a challenge to his powers. He tried to frighten Bhagawan Mahavir by assuming various forms of a ghost, an elephant, a cobra, a lion, but he did not succeed. He then tried to pierce his eyes, ears, nose, head, nails and back. Even this extreme agony failed to pierce the serenity of his composure.
Sulpani was drained of all his demonic energy, and a divine spiritual light illuminated in him. Slowly his anger subsided, fear dissolved, and a feeling of goodwill took over. He touched Mahavir's feet and with repentance and humility begged Mahavir's pardon.
LIFE OF BHAGWAN MAHAVIR ►
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