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गज
वृषभ
not cause fear, you will become free of all fears always. So destroy the poison ivy of anger."
Mahavir spent his first monsoon-stay at Asthik-gram. (M-16) The Embodiment of Love
Leaving Asthik-gram Mahavir proceeded in the direction of Shvetambika town. The trail to this town passed through a dense and desolate forest. When some shepherds saw Mahavir entering the forest they shouted, "O Monk, stay put for a minute. This is a dangerous trail. There is a black serpent with venomous gaze on this trail. His hissing and gaze burn plants and trees. Even flying birds and standing humans drop dead. Please leave this trail and take a different route."
Mahavir heard this fear filled call of the shepherds. With a serene smile he raised a hand as a gesture of assurance. With firm steps Mahavir went near the snake-hole. All around human and animal skeletons could be seen. There was not a single green leaf as far as the eye could see. Close to the snake-hole was a delepidated temple. Mahavir stood in the shade of this temple and started his meditation.
• After some time the giant black serpent came out of its hole hissing fiercely. It had seen a human being after a long time. The man was standing firm and fearless with closed eyes. The serpent was surprised. It looked at Mahavir with its venomous red eyes. Like flames from a ball of fire, its poisonous eyes emitted waves of venom. It hissed awesomely. But all this had no effect whatsoever on Mahavir. The serpent was astonished-till today every man I came across has been consumed by my first venomous hiss and this man stands still, absolutely unmoved.
The serpent glanced at the sun and once again focused its gaze at Mahavir and hissed at him with renewed anger, but in vain. It slithered from the line of the expected fall of the body and than with all its force sank its fangs in Mahavir's toe and injected all its venom. It drew back and waited expectantly, again in vain.
The angry serpent, vexed further by its failure stung Mahavir twice again. All its three attacks were wasted. Mahavir stood undisturbed. The serpent was astonished to see milk oozing out instead of blood from the spots where it had stung on Mahavir's toe.
Bhagavan Mahavir was standing unmoved. His face was glowing and on his lips was a charming smile, like a blooming rose. His eyes reflected the inner compassion. Illustrated Tirthankar Charitra
( 288 )
सचित्र तीर्थंकर चरित्र
लक्ष्मी
पुष्पमाला
चन्द्र
RE
विमल
अनन्त
धर्म
शान्ति
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