________________
82
SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
very little straw left under the tree and it was also not fully dry. Hence the flames grew less keen under the tree However, they did singe the feet of the Lord 1
The Lord experimented variously in the realm of freedom The bondage of the natural environment had also got to be shaken off The heat and the cold condition each of us. The Lord sought to flout this bondage once for all
It was severe winter The frozen blasts of wind lashed the earth Some mendicants nestled round the ovens to fight cold Others scrambled for blankets and felts Those subscribing to Parshwanath's order also looked around to find out covered houses The Lord meditated in that rayaging cold under the thatches Nature attacked him furiously and he was blunting its attack The duel left him unscourged ? The Science of Discrimination :
When the house was projected on the retina it so seemed that the space is bound However, when its nature was deciphered it was learnt that the house-walls did not bind the space
When the lily immersed in water was seen it appeared that it is in touch with the enveloping water But when its intrinsic nature was interpreted it was learnt that it is intact of water
When the pitcher, liquour, lid etc were observed it occurred to us that they are different from the earth When the nature of the earth was grasped it came home that they don't exist independent of earth
When the tide was seen in the turbulent sea it seemed that It is aberratic When its nature was comprehended it was learnt that it is orderly
When the burnished looks of the noble metal were seen one believed that it is extraordinary When its nature was probed it was evident that it is no better than common stuff.
1. 'Awashyakchurni' 1 pt. p 288 2 Ayaro' 9/2/13-16, 'Acharangachurni' p 317, 'Acharangavrith leaves
280, 281
