________________
WORLD-FLIGHT AND SANNYĀSA
113
There was amongst those who, inspired by the example of the WORLD TEACHER, had taken to sannyāsa with Him one Marichi, who was one of the sons of Bharata. He was a great soul, who ultimately became the last Tirthamkara, Mahavira ; but at the time he was quite unable to understand and realize the Truth, and failed to withstand the affliction of hunger and thirst that assailed him. He fell from the high position that he aspired to attain, became a wandering mendicant, preaching all sorts of silly and senseless doctrines, in consequence of which he had to reincarnate even in hells many times, a few incarnations later.
The WORLD TEACHER'S.. tapaścharana was a wonderful sight for all who saw it. People did not understand the why and the wherefore of the process at the time ; but they were struck with the amazing steadiness of that dhyāna (meditation) which nothing could disturb. Once there was some disturbance. Two impetuous youngsters. the sons of Kachha and Mahā Kachha, sought Him with a view to obtain some boons from Him: They had got nothing at the time when the WORLD TEACHER had partitioned His territory amongst His sons and kinsmen, and they felt that they had a claim on Him, because of their aunts who were His wives. They came, determin
F. 8 .
