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SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
He recognised the Lord and released him He apologised on behalf of his soldiers and sincerely expressed his regrets 2 (10) The Lord revisited Tosli Sangam took some tools and left these near the Lord The soldiers produced the Lord before the warrior chief of the place He interrogated the Lord to which the latter did not respond The chief grew suspicious. He awarded capital punishment to the prisoner.
The executioner put the rope round the neck of the Lord and pulled it The rope gave way. Again, he was attempted to be hanged and the same thing happened. The miracle occurred seven times the soldiers were astonished They came to the chief and narrated the events. Said the chief-'He is not a thief He must be a saint of no ordinary virtue'
He rushed to the spot and did him homage, repenting for his conduct 3
The Lord had transcended the limits of non-forgiveness and forgiveness There was none who merited punishment or forgiveness for that matter in his vast vision He deftly swam along the stream of spontaneous tranquillity
1 'Awashyakchurni' 1 pt. p 313 2. Eleventh year of the pursuits 3 'Awashyakchurni' 1 pt p 313