________________
28
A Horde of Paradoxes
Life is eventuated with numerous contrasts None can pass one's entire career in an uniform and unchequered manner The enthusiasts of uniformity treat these variegations as contradictions Lord Mahavira's career was not free from these contradictions
The Lord presided over the congregation A devotee who had dedicated his life to the cause came and said, 'Sire! Earlier you stayed segregated Now you sit in the congregation Is it not a contradiction ?'
'Seen from an absolute angle it is, seen from a relative angle it is not!
'How is it, sire?'
During my earlier pursuit I was alone outwardly and still full of crowds inwardly Now I sit surrounded with the followers and still I am fully emptied inwardly--emptied of latencies
Acharya Gaushalak, another life-devotee, also portrayed the Lord's life as a series of contradictions Monk Ardrakumar left Vasantpur to visit the Lord The latter stayed at Gunshilak monastery at Rajgriha Ardrakumar and Gaushalak met each other in the way Gaushalak learnt of his identity and said,
'It is strange that you intend to visit Mahavira You are an astute prince and you have been so duped What a surprize, sır!'
