Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 16

worldly delusion. One should therefore be sure that there is no greatness comparable to truthfulness, compassion, forgiving, celibacy and equanimity. I am of the opinion that the spiritual wealth and esteem earned by a monk while resorting to five major restraints are not available even to sovereign rulers like Brahmadatta despite their wealth, family, children and position.
Lesson 17: Bähubal
Bähubal literally means strength of the arm. Here, however, we are going to narrate the amazing life-story of the great man named Bähubal.
While Lord Rushabhdev was moving around in the renounced state after entrusting the kingdom to his sons Bharat and Bahubal, Bharat became a Chakravarti (Sovereign ruler). As such, Chakraratna (The miracle wheel that does not miss the target) turned out of his armory. With the aid of that equipment he established his control over other states and secured the lordship over all the six parts of the country. Bähubal, however, declined to acknowledge his suzerainty and that led to war between the two. Since neither of them retreated for a long time, Bharat became desperate and hurled the miracle wheel at Bahubal. That wheel, however, does not hurt the persons of the same blood. As such, it went around Bähubal and came back to Bharat.
Bähubal got wild by that unjustifiable move and he raised his mighty fist to smash Bharat. But his mood got changed. He thought, 'This is highly despicable act and that would lead to very miserable consequence. Let Bharat have the lordship; why do I do something that would lead to overall destruction? It is not worth hitting Bharat with my fist.' With that idea he used the fist for snatching his hairs, adopted the mode of a monk and left. He thought of going to the place where Lord Rushabhdev was moving along with his other 98 sons and rest of the followers. But egoism overcame him and he thought, 'If I go there now, I shall have to bow to my younger brothers; it is therefore not worth going at present.'
Thereupon he started meditating in the woods and stayed concentrated for twelve months; his body turned into a mere skeleton on account of acute austerities and he looked like a dried tree. But he did not gain the accomplishment so long as ego lurked within him. Then his sisters Brähmi and Sundari came there and said, "Brave brother, you tried a lot with the ego, now please come down the mad elephant."
On hearing those words Bähubal came to his sense. He thought, 'That's correct; I have not come down the mad elephant of ego; now it is worth coming down.' With that idea as he took one step to go for bowing, he attained the blissful omniscience. See, how hard is it to avert the egoism?
Lesson 18: Four states of existence
The worldly soul has been indulging in wholesome and unwholesome Karmas and in order to avail the consequences it has been wandering in the following four states of existence.
1) Infernal state: Those undertaking very violent activities like mighty projects, drinking, meat-eating etc. are destined to highly terrible infernal state, where there is not even a trace of comfort or happiness; pitch darkness prevails there. One has to face amputation of limbs, has to be consumed in fire, and is required to drink water that cuts like a knife. It is required to stay in a very congested area and has to bear terrible pain, discomfort and agony. The worldly soul has repeatedly borne the pain that even the enlightened persons cannot describe!