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23. मदमत्त - मातंग का गर्व भंग ।
एक और अवसर पर जब कि श्री वर्द्धमान राज-पथ पर चल रहे थे, एक मदगज जंजीर तोड़कर यथेच्छ रास्ते पर चल पड़ा। इधर-उधर लोग भाग खड़े होने लगे। तब श्री वर्द्धमान गंभीर रुप से हाथ बाँधकर उस हाथी के सामने खड़े । उनकी आँखों में निर्भीकता और प्रशान्तता को देखकर उस हाथी ने उनके चरणों पर अपना मस्तक झुकाया । भविष्य में यथेच्छाचारी मद-मत्त-मातंग से भी अधिक भयावनी मानसिक दुर्बलताओ को भी वशा दर्बलताओं को भी वश में लाने की गंभीरता उनमें बचपन से ही दिखाई पड़ी।
23 A MIGHTY ELEPHANT HUMBLED
On another occasion while, Vardhamana was walking along the Boulevard, an elephant in rut ran in his direction after breaking its chains. At this sight all the wayfarers ran helter skelter, while Shri Vardhamana stood his ground folding his arms around his chest and fearlessly facing the on rushing mad elephant. The elephant which was thus running amok saw the determination, fearlessness and the reprimanding look in the eyes of Mahavira and then knelt before him in submission. This incident was indicative of the deftness with which Mahavira was going to conquer various infirmities of man which are more uncontrollable than the wild behaviour of an elephant running amok; thus the seeds of future greatness were cast early in the life of Mahavira.
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