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SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
Concluding his meditation, he said, 'Worthy king! I found none who would offer me shelter Hence I became a monk
'I wonder why nobody offered you protection' 'But it is a fact'
'l beseech you to kindly accompany me Let me be your shelter and refuge My palace is open to you with all of its regal amenities'
'You are as much in need of a refuge as I am What shelter can you offer me?'
The candidness was none-too-pleasant to the king Said he, 'You are a monk not a householder Didn't your preceptor Lord Mahavira preach to you how valuable truth is?'
'He certainly did'
Why, then, do you call me refugeless? Don't you know my identity?'
'l very much do I know you are in need of a shelter.'
'I fail to understand you I have my kingdom, army, coffers and the power to award punishment and pardon How do you call me refugeless?'
'Let me tell you who is shelterless and who is not I don't belong to a family of paupers My father is a wealthy man of Kaushambi I owned immense wealth and parental affection I enjoyed my life with my parents One day I felt a severe pain in my eyes It was simply unbearable My parents obtained the best treatment for me well-known physicians were summoned but it was worse than ever My father spent huge sums for me but to no avail Equally keen were my mother, brother and kins and equally unsuccessful My wife shed tears She forwent her meals She kept attending on me day and night and still there was no relief I felt completely refuge-- less There was none who could grant me a moment's confort I remembered the Lord's utterance I attempted to seek relief in my own self I vowed to surrender myself body and soul to him, if I would survive my optic malady The sun rose after a comfortless deadly night My pain was completely dissolved in my vow My unhappiness was miraculously cured to the
