Non Violence A Way Of Life

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

Page 12

did not care for his possessions at all. The ascetics began to slander him. The head of the hermitage came to know this. He said to Mahavir, "Even birds protect their nests. But you don't care though you are a prince. Why is it so ?"
As he was engrossed in meditation, Mahavir did not speak. But he thought to himself, "The monk who had renounced his family was now tempted by the security of life in the cottage. It was for the sake of austerity that I renounced my home. Now entrapped in somebody else's cottage, should I forget austerity ? The lamp of my austerity can shine under a tree, in a cave or among the ruins of a building." So with the consent of the head of the hermitage, Bhagwan left the cottage with all goodwill. But at that time he made five resolutions. (1) Not to stay at a place which breeds aversion. (2) Always to be in meditation. (3) The vow of silence should be observed for most of the time. (4) Not to eat more food than what can be taken in the palm of my hand. (5) Not to flatter householders. These five resolutions show Mahavir's spirit of renunciation. Like the seeds of a banyan-tree, these vows spread into the shetering tree of true asceticism in life. On account of these five vows he had to go without places to stay in. Only barren forests, ruined buildings and deserted houses became his abodes. But Mahavir was Mahavir. Neither fear nor provocation could swerve him from his path.
Continuing his journey from the hermitage of the Duijjants ascetics, Bhagwan Mahavir reached a deserted town. Most of the houses were ruined. Thus town with the bones of skeletons strewn everywhere, was known as Asthigrama - the town of bones. A fierce yaksha named Shoolapani lived in the temple on the outskirts of the town. He had such a great dislike for the smell of human body that whatever stayed in the temple over-night was sure to be found dead in the morning. The yaksha would scare and presecute the man and the man would die of fright. Fear itself is not dangerous but the fear of fear is dangerous. Even Indrasharma, the worshipper of the temple, was afraid of the yaksha. But Mahavir was not afraid of anybody. He said, "I do not fear anybody and do not cause fear to anybody. I will stay in the temple for the night."
It was now getting dark. The priest of the temple had left. Mahavir was standing in deep meditation. Shoolpani, the yaksha, appeared. He had in his hand a terrible shoola (lance) glittering like lightning. He looked like fierceness itself. Thinking that he would get a bellyful for his food, he burst into a peal of cruel loud laughter. Even the strongest men were frightened by the laughter. But like a thunderbolt Mahavir stood firm and unperturbed. The yaksha assumed the forms of an elephant, an evil spirit and a snake. He inflicted no end of wounds on Mahavir's body. By his miraculous
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