Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 75

Shri Mahavir Jan Aradhana Kendra
www.obatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandie
He felt only love for all, and saw peither friend nor enemy.
UNMOVED by DISTRACTIONS
ANY TRIED TO A COMPANY MAHAVIRA AS HE LEFT but he firmly sent them home. By nightfall he had reached the forest, where he stayed his first night in the open alone and sleepless. In the darkness he vowed to embrace a solitary life of penance until he achieved enlightenment. He would endure whatever troubles came
his way without complaint and with a peaceful mind. No difficulty would disturb him. Even if others deliberately gave him pain or tried to prevent him pursuing his path, he would patiently tolerate their behavior without being upset Indeed he would behave even toward his enemies with peace and love
So he began to walk his difficult path of self-realization, which though it would bring great happiness would also offer severe trials. On this path he would encounter thorns, the results of his past actions, but he would accept them with a calm mind, without fear or anger. Only by leaving behind all his past karma could he reach the stage of complete knowledge
With his heart full of compassion and love for all beings, Mahavira began his journey. To calm his mind and senses he fasted, so that his passions were stilled in the light of pure knowledge
His first trial came the very next day. A sweet aroma still chung to his body from the previous morning when he had been bathed and smeared with aromatic oils mixed with sandalwood paste, and bees were attracted to the perfume. They crawled on his soft skin and stung him repeatedly until he was covered with red and swollen wounds, some even bleeding. He did nothing to resist them, and was careful not to harm or disturb them in any way. He simply tolerated their stinging without protest.
As he wandered sometimes he found himself in the jungle and sometimes he passed through the habitations of men. In the villages people were attracted to his beauty and harassed him. The sweet
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