Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 99

Acharya Shri Kailassarsun Gyanmandir
"What will become of this pitiful creature, who only tries to give me pain?"
TESTED by ENVIOUS SPIRITS
INTER ARRIVED AND WITH IT BETTERLY COLD WINDS that felt like knives against Mahavira's naked flesh. At night, while beneath their woolen blankets the villagers shivered, the saint stood in the forest meditating. Warmth emanated from within his body and he did not feel the cold.
Now came another person from his past to harass him. During his past lifetime as the nobleman Triprustha he had married several wives, one of whom became his enemy. Now she existed as an envious spirit named Kataputana. She perceived her former husband, now living as a renunciate in the forest, and resolved to attack him.
She created a torrent of icy water that rained down from above and drenched the body of Mahavira, while causing blasts of freezing winds. Any ordinary person would have died from exposure in such conditions, but Mahavira was not so easily deterred. This torture continued all through the night, yet did not disturb him. On the contrary, he welcomed this test of his resolve and continued his meditation.
Kataputana saw that the person she hated felt no hatred for her. He tolerated all her provocation, and love and compassion radiated from him. Realizing he was a blessed soul, she no longer felt hatred. Instead exhausted by her efforts, she fell at his feet.
"Forgive me," she begged. "My heart was full of anger, but now that I have seen your love, my anger is gone. You are a great soul, and I beg your forgiveness." As soon as she sincerely spoke these words, she felt relieved of all distress, and was free to move forward on her spiritual journey,
Mahavira had displayed supreme fortitude, and from that moment his wisdom increased. Now her could understand the nature of all things in the mortal world.
Leaving that place, he found a small temple far from any habitation, where he would not be disturbed
The proxed Sagat attacked with cartures and templates for six months but Mahavivit was disturbed id contra his mediator
without complaint