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Lord Mahavira : A Revolutionary
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cultivated in him a sense of compassion and respect for the religious vows and tried to be true to these in his dealings in life. The elder one used to go to the temple, importune God for all kinds of favours and meditate for hours together. This was his daily routine. He strictly observed all the rules laid down for doing pooja and offering oblations to the diety. He thought he was one with God while in meditation.
The younger one never visited temples or holy places; he used to practise all the norms of religion in day-to-day life. His actions always projected the true image of a devotee. His transactions were honest and his behaviour was virtuous. He never hated or cheated anybody nor committed theft. He acted up to his beliefs.
One day the elder brother was returning from the temple. He noticed a wounded man crying for help. But he hurried away without paying any heed to him. A few steps further he met another who had borrowed some money from him for spending in the treatment of his diseased mother. She was lying on her death bed. The elder brother stopped him and demanded the return of his money. The client replied, “My mother is one her death bed. I have not even a single pie for her treatment. I am beset by troubles on all sides. How can I pay your debt right now? I promise, however, to pay you back very soon.” But to no avail. The elder brother insisted on immediate payment, and when this was not done he went to the debtor's house and sequestrated everything except the bed on which his mother was lying.
In the meantime, the younger brother was also on his way home. He noticed the wounded man crying for help. He was in a hurry. Still he went to him and behaved as he would towards a member of his own family. He dressed his wounds, gave him something to eat and drink, and finally took him to an inn. He asked the innkeeper to look after him and paid the expenses as well. The next day he heard about the man whose meagre property had been confiscated by his elder brother. He was rather upset and so moved with pity that he approached the man, made sufficient arrangements for his sick mother's treatment, and gave him the required money to pay his elder brother. Thus he performed his social duty towards a fellow being. The man who
