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Journey into Jainism
NETTS.
When the demon noticed this, he became annoyed and enraged at the same time. He decided to make another approach and assumed the shape of a giant elephant. He hurled himself towards Kamdeva and threw him up into the air with a powerful force. When Kamdeva landed, he trampled his feet on him. To the demon's dismay, however, Kamdeva was still completely unaffected and his meditation went on undisturbed.
At this point, the demon was absolutely furious and could not believe his eyes. As his last resort, he adopted the form of a fierce serpent and repeatedly stung Kamdeva with his poisonous venom. Still Kamdeva remained in complete tranquillity. The demon accepted his defeat and left after an apology.
One day it happened that Lord Mahavir came to the town.
Lord Mahavir called many monks and nuns and announced the news: "Worthy monks, Kamdeva is a householder, but yet he has attained a remarkable degree of self-awareness. He has stoically endured all the tests he was put to by the divine powers. He has achieved the summum bonum of life. Being monks, your self-realization, equanimity, stoicism, and concentration should be of an even higher level.” Self-awareness is an eternal burning lamp that lights many more lamps.
