Mahavira His Life And Teachings

Author(s): Saraswati Raghavachari
Publisher: Jain Sastu Sahitya

Page 31

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His parents died and Mahavira began to think seriously of translating his resolution into action.
But that was not to be so soon.
Nandivardhan, the elder brother of Mahavira and the first-born of King Siddhartha, was disconsolate. The death of both his parents almost at the same time shocked him not a little; and when Mahavira informed him of his determination of renunciation, he was overwhelmed by dejection and despair.
He said to Mahavira, “Brother, both our parents are just dead. That gave me grief poignant enough; then the onerous duties of King -ship have fallen on my weak shoulders; and I almost despair of discharging them satisfactorily. Now you want to leave me! How can I bear such a rapid succession of sorrows! Please do not leave me now; stand by me and help me to stand up." . Mahavira was deeply touched by the words of Nandivardhan. Further, his own wife, Yashoda, stood before him, her eyes darting forth meaningful looks.
Only he who has ever loved with a full heart can understand the oratory of the eye,