Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 44

Shri Mahavir Jan Aradhana Kendra
www.kabatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kalassagarsuri Darmandie
Raising his fist, Vardhamana struck the demon three blows on his head.
DEFEAT of a DEMON
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FTER THE SNAKE WAS OVERCOME BY VARDHAMANA the boys laughed with relief. They forgot their fear and started to play again, this time a game of leapfrog. One boy bent down while the others leapt over him. As soon as someone failed to jump high enough to get over, he had to bend down. Eventually the loser had to carry the victor on
his back While they were enjoying this game with much laughter, none of them noticed the new boy who joined them. He was unknown to any of them because he was the jealous god disguised as one of the boys, come to seek his revenge. He pretended not to be very good at their game and before long he was made the loser, who had to carry the victor on his back. The victor was Vardhamana, and without hesitation he leapt on the demon's back and rode around on him. At first all seemed normal, then his carrier began to grow taller and taller. At the same time his features changed from those of a young boy to the angry face of a demon. He became as tall as a tree, with thick matted hair, long sharp nails on his hands and feet, fangs protruding from his mouth and bulging eyes that glowed like red-hot coals. The demon opened his mouth and screamed with anger. As Vardhamana sat upon his broad shoulders, which were covered with thick prickly hairs, he raced away.
The boys were shocked by this dramatic turn of events, but Vardhamana remained calm. He rode the demon just as a small boy rides on the back of an elephant, controlling the beast beneath him with out fear. He knew who this was, for he had gained the gift of insight from his many previous lives of penance. He understood that this demon was really a jealous god who could not understand or accept Vardhamana's true power. Raising his tist, Vardhamana struck the demon three blows on his head. With the first the demon trembled, with the second he tumbled to the ground and with the third he suddenly
7 he child's carrier grew later and alter and his features changed to the angry face of a demon with the
acted black hair long trails and buiging eyes