________________
stays aloof from the water and slush in which it is born, so has the true seeker to keep away from worldly pleasures and attractions.
2E
In this detatched stato, Mahavir sees various incidents and changes taking place in his life: daughter Priyadarshana is born to him, but his parents leave him on their eternal voyage. These gains or losses, however, do not stop his philosophical deliberations, he ponders on his life's aim and as if in answer to these deliberations there arises within him a voice. The voice has a plea, a call, an invitation: "JE EGAM JANAI, SE SAVVAM JANAI", He who knows the soul, knows all. "Come, recognise and realise yourself". And his mental turmoil increases because he wants to answer this voice, he wishes to find his true self for ever.......... But no, the atmosphere of Vaishali's Royal Palace is not the right one for this search......
..... The only way out was the total renunciation of all attachments. So Mahavir waited for the right opportunity when he could follow his chosen path, which incidentally, was meant for the brave.
'अपूर्व अवसर ऐसा आयेगा कमी ? *
(Song) "APOORVA AVSAR AISA AYEGA KABHI ?"
........ The day finally dawned when he could break away from all bonds and start on the difficult path of Bhagwati Diksha (or initiation into monkhood). Mahavir embarked on the task of finding his true self, only after consultation with all concerned, with their permission and blessings, for he did not believe in escapism...........
H
.........On this auspicious day, to Mahavir's three-sided knowledge, was added a fourth dimension, the "MANAHPARYAVAJNANA" (4) So on he went in search of the fifth knowledge of Keval Jnana (4) and the fifth and ultimate position of Siddhahood.
The road was unknown, and limitless, he was alone, unaccompanied..... His departure was heart-rending moment for his wife Yashoda, daughter Priyadarshana and brother Nandivardhana. Watching him disappear among the bushes of the Gratkhandavana, a desperate cry rose from them:
त्वया विना धीर । कथं ग्रामो
(Shloka:Couplet)
"TVAYA VINA VEER, KATHAM VRAJAMO?"
"O Veer! How can we now return to a house bereft of your presence and voice ? O brother! who will now accompany us in life's different phases ? Who will we dine and talk with?"
But Mahavir, the Nirgranth, the unattached, has already left, having vowed at the very first step not to care for his body, nor protect himself from the troubles given by God, mon or dovil, nor even allow the mind to be upset by anger till such a time as he attained the ultimate kevala Jnana......
...... Thus began his 12 1⁄2 years long voyage of meditation and penance, where all his vows were tested, in which he even refused Lord Indra's offer for help:
'घोर घनो में पैदल घूमे ....."
(Song Couplet)
"GHOR VANOME PAIDAL GHOOME"
...... Vardhaman Mahavir endured the scores of extremely painful and terrifying physical sufferings without even feeling upset:
"होश भूला एक ग्वाला...."
"HOSH BHOOLA EK GWALA"
(Song:Couplet)
The suffering did not take away from Mahavir's zeal and the Nirgranth saint, determined as ever, immersed himself in meditation, thus shortening the long voyage and filling it with happiness. The goal which he set out to find, was now very much within his reach. He was pervaded by a feeling of "Satchidanandi shuddh swaroopi" that truthful joyous immortal and coveted state. From the depths of this ocean of knowledge he had brought out pearls of tolerance, forgiveness, love and affection. How else could he have accepted the various trying phases with much calm 7
Mahavir soon arrived in the city of Kaushambi, where awaiting him was Chandanbala. Strange is the story of this princess, a woman of high birth sold as a slave in the streets of Vaishall. The sacred texts tell us of the Lord's vow. Mahavir had been fasting for 5 months and 25 days, yet had vowed not to accept food unless given by a woman of royal bearing, forced by circumstances to become a servant maid. She would have to have a shaven head, chained body, tears in her eyes and black gram in her hands. Waiting at the door as per his requirements was Chandanbala -
14
'चंदनबाला ! तेरा अदभुत है इतिहास ....".
(Song) "CHANDANBALA! TERA ADBHUT HAI ITIHAS"
Surmounting all kinds of trials, Mahavir, the meditative great saint, completes 12 1/2 years of his "Nirgranth" life and reaches his destination of self-realisation.
........The afternoon was drawing to a close, the hamlet of chiman on the banks of River Rijuvaluka, arnidst the lush greenery of the fields and under the 'Shal' trea.......
Yes, it was right below this tree in the "Godohika" (ft) position, immersed in "Shukla dhyana" of parakoti the highest state, dwelling in the depths of the ocean of self-meditation that Mahavir grew aware of an intense feeling of being. aloof from all kinds of attachments, being "merely a conscious self, the knowing and seeing soul, Pure, completely selfsufficient, alone...."
