Non Violence A Way Of Life

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaibhikkhu Sahitya Trust

Page 10

He fed the hungry. Under the Ashoka tree he himself tore five handfuls of hair. He took great vows which would bind him too. Lead the life of a monk. “From today through thoughts, words or my physical self, I will not do an evil deed, I will not have an evil deed done and I will not help anyone do an evil deed. I will perfectly purify the soul."
At the moment everyone was torn between feelings of joy and of sorrow. All were deeply moved in their hearts. Nandivardhan, the elder brother, knew the intentions of Vardhaman. So, he gave his consent though with a heavy heart. But at the time of Vardhaman's departure, he wept.
Vardhaman's mind would not any longer be tempted by mundane thoughts. He had his gaze set on the path of austerity. That is why in a mement he turned his home into a forest and a forest, his home. At the age of 30 Vardhaman renounced the world. This was a journey for the realization of the soul and the victory over the sense organs. He put off his royal dress. At that moment the great god Indra cast a fine devine raiment on his shoulder.
Mahavir set out. At that time a Brahmin named Somasharma came there. He asked for alms. Mahavir had nothing he would give. So he tore one half of the devine raiment given by Indra which was on his shoulder and gave it to him. The Brahmin left with
the devine raiment. That devine raiment was very costly. A darner said to the Brahmin, "If you bring the other half of the devine raiment. I will darn it into a full piece. It will fetch you a fine price."
The Brahmin returned and started trudging along close on the heels of Mahavir. He didn't dare to ask for the raiment. But it so happened that once the other half of the devine raiment slipped off Mahavir's shoulder. The Brahmin picked it up. Mahavir did not care for it and afterwards he never accepted a new devine raiment.
जे ममाइअमई जहाइ, से जहाइ ममाइअं । (He who abandons the attachment for possession, abandons the possession completely.)
The following incident reveals not only Bhagwan's abundant mercy but also his utter non-attachment to his own physical self. On the first night of his initiation this incident occurred which put his equanimity to the test. Prince Vardhaman was now monk Vardhaman. From the royal bed of flowers he has stepped on to the rugged and thorny path of austerity. One night while he was standing in the Kausagga posture outside Karmar town, a cowherd asked him to look after his bullocks for a short time while he was himself away. When the cowherd returned, he did not find his bullocks. Mahavir was
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