Non Violence A Way Of Life

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

Page 13

powers the yaksha caused severe pain in Mahavir's eyes, ears, nose, head and everywhere. But Mahavir stood firm like the Sumeru mountain.
The whole night Mahavir was visited with great calamities. At last Shoolpani, the yaksha, got dead tired. His monstrous physical strength surrendered to Mahavir's spiritual power in the end. Gradually his heart underwent a change. He bowed down at the feet of Mahavir and said, "O, Lord ! Pardon me. I did not recognize you."
Mahavir said, "It is an enemy that is pardoned. You are my friend."
The yaksha was surprised. He said, "Am I a friend? And yours! How much I tortured you !"
Mahavir said, "Not only mine; you can be a friend of the whole world. Overcome by feelings of anger and spite, you were preying on human bones. But violence never gives you peace. It is only by forgiveness and love that peace is realized. I know that you bear revenge against this town. But the cure for revenge is not revenge but love."
As gentle rain falls on the hot earth so Mahavir's words pacified yaksha's bruised spirit. His heart brimmed over with the redeeming waters of love and compassion.
In the course of his sojourn, Bhagwan again came
to pass through Moraka town. There lived in this town a hypocritical astrologer of the Achchhandaka clan who cheated ignorant and credulous people with stories of false miracles. On account of Bhagwan's presence and through the infleunce of his practice of meditation and penance, the hold of Achchhandakas abated.
While Bhagwan was going on a journey from south Vachala to north Vachala, he did his preaching of the benefit of the snake, Chandakaushika. Then a good named Sangama caused a number of torments of Mahavir, but through all these travails, Bhagwan's face shone bright like gold as if it were the mid-day sun. For six long months he caused innumerable torments to Mahavir but Mahavir constantly pursued his path of austeriety. Disappointed and dejected, Sangamadeva fell at the feet of Mahavir. Tried and defeated Sangama said in a voice choked with emotion, "I am Sangama. I did not recognize you. You are adorable even by Gods, let alone men. Wonderful is your self-control. Matchless are your forgiveness and tolerance."
Though Mahavir was tormented for six months, not a trace of it was left on the face of the great yogi Mahavir. He thought in his compassionate heart, “Alas! What will happen to this poor soul ? He has burdened himself with what huge load of Karma all
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