Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 48

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Acharya Shri Kailassa
He will be the greatest teacher
the world has ever known.
TEST of WISDOM
FTER DEFEATING THE JEALOUS GOD, in the shapes of the cobra and the giant demon, Vardhamana's popularity with his friends increased more than ever. He was their hero and leader. With his curling black hair and handsome face, his sparkling eyes and sweet smile, he charmed them all. Everyone wanted to be near him, for just by being in
his company they felt relieved of all unhappiness. If any threat arose, he would protect them from it, and he always had the solution to their problems. So he played, surrounded by his friends from dawn until dusk.
When he reached the age of eight, like all young boys he had to go to school. He hardly needed to be taught anything, but for the sake of his parents he agreed to be educated. On a day chosen by the king's advisers according to the stars, his mother took him to school. When he arrived there he was greeted by his teacher, who bowed to him and his royal family. Vardhamana also bowed to his teacher with great respect. The teacher wore new clothes specially for the occasion and his pupils were on their best behavior. The queen honored her son's teacher with gifts, and distributed sweets to all the schoolchildren. Then the teacher sat on his seat, raised up on his teacher's platform, and a place at the front of the classroom was given to the prince, who sat on the floor like all the other boys to start his education
At this a tremor radiated through the universe, reaching as far as Indra's court in heaven. This was because an enlightened soul had sat on the floor and submitted himself to learn from a teacher whose knowledge was far less than that of his glorious pupil
"Prince Vardhamana has no need to learn anything," said Indra with indignation. "This teacher, sitting on his high seat, thinks he will be able to teach the wisest soul in the universe. But all he can do is hold the tiny lamp of his knowledge in front of the shining sun of Mahavira's wisdom."
Indre commanded the teacher nake reemont platform for at for Mahavir and made the young boy sit beside him then began to ply them both searching questions