Shraman Mahavira

Author(s): Dineshchandra Sharma
Publisher: Mitra Parishad Calcutta

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SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
It is natural to be reminded of Ram's exile in this context. The two events were not identical and still bore a great likeness with each other Ram renounced his home to seek an unknown destination He was accompanied by Laxman, Sita and his bow and arrows Mahavira also proceeded to the unknown He however, had no man, woman or arm with himself Both cherished to uphold the glory of emancipation Both fought great battles to accomplish the goal and conquered their respective foes But the battles and the conquests vary in each case Ram's foes are the marauders that curtail the freedom of the meek Mahavira's are the accumulated experiences, the latencies that throttle the freedom of mind and stifle the self Ram conquered them with arms and Mahavira with meditation and penances Ram shines in his deed and Mahavira in his spiritualism. They constitute the two wheels of the chariot of Indian culture that have lent and will lend momentum to it
After departure from his native place Mahavira's next halt was at Karmargram (today's Kamanchhapra) He was indifferent to his meals He observed fast on the day of initiation as well as on the following day Any place would do for him He had no concern for bodily comforts The one burning question before him was how to remedy the menaces to human freedom
Mahavira stood outside the village at the fringe of the forest I He is absorbed in meditation His sight is fixed on his nasal tip His forearms are directed towards his knees His immobility would create an illusion of a pillar from a distance
A cowherd drives his bullocks homeward He saw Mahavira in his stable posture He left his bullocks there and went home Mahavira was meditating in search of truth He was so much preoccupied with the spiritual pursuit as to be completely unaware of the external world The bullocks went
1 First year of pursuit at Karmargram