Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 74

had been neutralized. From nowhere appeared a shining being. It was Indra, clothed in light. He drew toward Mahavira and, as all looked on in wonder, gave him a shawl made from fine white cloth of marvelous weave. He took the cloth and wrapped it around himself, and as he did so it glittered, covering his naked body with infinite softness. At the same moment Mahavira discovered he had the psychic ability to read the mind of any person.
But he looked not in the faces of all those around him, nor even toward those he knew and loved intimately. Instead his gaze was fixed on the horizon. In his mind he had already left all this behind. His brother saw the time had now come for his departure, and that nothing could ever prevent it. He could no longer contain his emotions, and tears fell down his cheeks. Others nearby also began to weep and soon there were moist eyes everywhere.
But the hero did not hear their crying. His thoughts were beyond all that is temporary. With the sun sinking over the horizon and the sky filled with pink and gold. Mahavira walked forward through the crowd, who parted in reverence. A solitary figure with no companion, he set off for his life of penance.