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Lord Mahâvira
period in deep meditation, observing various postures of Yoga. He wandered from place to place in the region of the Gangetic plains. Among the various places which he visited and where he spent the period of four months of rainy season were Asthikagrama, Nalanda, Rajargha, Sravasti, Vaisali, Alabhika, the Radha country, now in Bengal, Vanijyagrama, Tosali, Kausambi, Varanasi, Mithila, Pava etc.
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He had multifarious experiences during all these twelve years. He endured many hardships and calamities with patience. He had great compassion for living beings. At Moraka settlement he was given shelter by the head of the Tanasa ascetics in his hermitage. Due to shortage of fodder some cows had begun to take for their food the thatch of the very cottage where Mahavira was staying. Even then, he remained in meditation and did not chase away the cows and deprive them of their food. This behaviour of Mahavira was not liked by the head of the hermitage and so he abused Mahavira. this incident moved his heart and as a consequence he resolved not to stay with anyone when his stay proved so unpleasant to others. He decided not to take help from others and to observe silence.
The incident at Moraka had made him realize the obstacles inherent in dependency on others. So he decided to become independent in respect of the places of shelter. And throughout his later wanderings he did not seek shelter with anyone. While going from place to place he used to stay in groves, gardens, shrines dedicated to popular deities, workshops, deserted houses, desolate places, and under trees, etc. Thus he did not have to accept anybody's favour and was free from any hindrance in his ceaseless efforts for spiritual accomplishment (Sadhana). He even gave up the use of utensils and started taking food in his bare palms because he wanted to become free and independent in all respects.
Fearlessness was a chief attribute with him. Fear leads to so many unfitting action and it destroys freedom. In the vicinity of Uttaravacala there was a big forest in which there lived a poisonous serpent. Cowherds requested Mahavira not to proceed that way, but, confident of his power, he did go and faced the danger. The serpent did bite him but he remained steadfast in his meditation and he emerged victorious.
