Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 89

teacher. He also could not understand Mahavira, and came to question him.
"You are from a ruling family, so why do you not look after your house? Even birds look after their
nests."
Mahavira again said nothing. He thought to himself, "I do not even care for my body, so why should I care for this hut?" He was different from the monks, because he always felt safe. He felt no need to protect himself or his house, nor did he wish to deprive the animals of answering their needs. But he understood that by accepting hospitality from the monks and staying in their community, he was inviting all sorts of unwanted complications. So, after living there for two weeks, he politely took his leave, and walked out into the rains.
After this episode he made five firm commitments, which became the basis for his future conduct. "I will not stay in a place where I cause disturbance to others. I will find places where I can meditate without being interrupted. I will observe silence whenever I can. I will use only my bare hands for accepting and eating food. I will never speak to flatter anyone." These were his five vows.
Further on his way he came to a small deserted village. Above the village on a hill stood a small temple. Here seemed an ideal place for him to stay during the rainy season. But on his way up the hill he passed some locals, who warned him that the place was dangerous.
"This place is haunted be an evil spirit, who cannot abide even the smell of humans. No one who stayed in the temple has survived the night, because the demon attacks and kills them. You are young and purehearted and we do not want to see you come to harm. Come with us and we will give you a place to stay."
"My friends, please do not worry," Mahavira told them. "I fear no one, not even Death himself, and no one fears me, because I love all creatures. Tonight I shall stay here unharmed."
Night was approaching, and the people feared that place. Reluctantly they left, and Mahavira entered the temple. There, as darkness fell, he took up his usual standing position in one corner and began to meditate. He could feel the presence of the demon, and he knew it meant him harm. But he wanted to release this troubled spirit from its evil condition.
Soon the atmosphere was charged with a sense of terrible desolation and fear. With a clap of thunder a fearsome demon appeared and attacked the saint with sharp spears. Blood ran down his limbs, but he was not afraid and he felt no pain. Then the demon took on the form of an elephant and wrapped its trunk around his body, squeezing him, raising him in the air and dashing him to the ground. Still he was not disturbed. The elephant disappeared and a roaring lion sprang from the darkness, and sank its sharp claws and pointed teeth into Mahavira's flesh. He withstood this attack without a murmur. Finally the lion vanished and a huge poisonous snake, hissing and writhing, repeatedly bit his tender feet. This torture continued through the night, but Mahavira's steadfast resolution was undaunted. As dawn approached the apparitions disappeared. and in their place came forward the evil spirit of that place, whose name was Shulpani.
"I realize that you are a great and powerful soul, far greater than I, and I have wrongly tried to kill you. Please forgive me," begged the spirit.
"You have no need for my forgiveness," said Mahavira, "for you have tested my powers of endurance, and therefore you are my friend."
"I tried to kill you, and you show me only friendship," said the astonished demon. "But I am tortured by unending anger. Please tell me how I can find peace."
"You cannot satisfy anger by hurting others. Anger can never be satisfied by cruelty and revenge. It can