________________
The Jains through Time
263
rites of marriage and an organised system of standing right in front of him. The lion society. He taught sixty four different types roared at him as if in welcome: "Oh man! of these social skills to people, through his You are just in time. I prayed to God only a daughters Brahmi and Sundari, who were minute ago and you have been sent to me as very good at figures and the rudiments of a gift from Him. Thank you." writing. Along with the studies of music, astrology, swimming and chemistry, he The philosopher was extremely frightened. taught the art of understanding the language He was staring death in the face. The blood of the birds and beasts as well. The main froze in his veins and rendered him dumb objective of this study was to understand the with terror. Gathering his last reserves of feelings of these creatures and do something strength, he tried to run away, "Beware," to alleviate their pain and suffering. roared the lion, "don't your dare take
another step. I will eat you today! Oh man, Birds and beasts also communicate in their our sacred scriptures say that man is the best own way. But will man, who is so self- food to eat, since he is fed on the best that absorbed, ever stop for a moment to try and money can buy. That is why his flesh is so understand what they are saying? Will he delicious. To eat men is a sacred duty for us ever respect their ability to understand lions. Securing a man to dine on is the result things or recognise their importance in our of our doing good deeds in a previous life. world?
God has created man for the lion to eat.
Prepare yourself." One day an extraordinary thing happened. A philosopher was wandering alone in the The philosopher could think of nothing but silence of the forest, concentrating on his own safety. In fact, he completely forgot solving some complicated question. He was about philosophy. Frozen with terror, he exhilarated by his quest and unaware of his managed to say in a trembling voice, “Lord surroundings. Suddenly he saw a lion lion! In our scriptures it is written that
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
