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THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF EQUANIMITY
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'The question of dharma is supreme The hierachies don't obtain in its realm The crux is earnestness Can't we out-do the king in earnest devotion?'
'You can!' "Then why do you drag me with the imperial example?'
'We permit you good child, to seek his holy grace May his grace bless you and ward off all evils'
Sudarshan left his home equipped with the filial blessing The friends and others did try to dissuade him but to little 'avail Indeed, one fully determined is not desisted from one's
course easily Nothing short of the ultimate goal would satisfy him He went unimpeded He went alone, not unequipped with his sincere devotion Now he was near Pratoli Gate The guard interrogated him
Whither dost thouh goeth young man?' 'To Gunashilaka chaitya ! 'What for?' 'To greet Lord Mahavira' 'l appreciate your devotion but is it not a suicide?'
'Might be it is SO However, my express purpose is not to commit suicide'
'The royal decree declares it out of bounds Are you un- aware of it?'
I know it The purpose I traverse it for is not subject to decrees of laiety When I have a scant fear for that which scares people why should I be forbidden to go thither?'
The guard had no reply to offer Sudarshan moved ahead Each step of his echoed over the path There was no hitch, no hestitation To Sudarshan each dust particle along the road reflected the image of Mahavira Each step was an echo declaiming Mahavira's philosophy
Arjuna wandered about the path. He was like the shadow of death He saw Sudarshan arriving like a God-send He pounced upon him Fear scrambled to devour up invincibility Devotion and wantonness were to fight out a duel. Sudarshan had braced himself up He embraced an initiation into equani
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