Shraman Mahavira

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

Page 47

THE FLAME OF VALOUR
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astray, grazing The cowherd returned as soon as his domestic duties allowed him to He found his bullocks gone He enquired of Mahavira, 'Where have my bullocks gone?"
Mahavira did not respond to the question He was so deeply absorbed in replying to the perennial questions of his self that the cowherd's questions eluded his ears How could any reply come forth ?'
The cowherd inferred that he had no knowledge where the bullocks happened to be He himself moved towards the jungle to trace them out It was nearing dusk The darkness was fast enveloping the earth The cowherd plodded on in search of his bullocks with no avail He returned home hopeless and tired
Now the tide is turned and the light is coming into its own to vanquish darkness The sun promoted it The new day has dawned The nocturnal sloth was doomed with its counterpart, the darkness The cowherd woke up He left straight to resume his search He wandered to where Mahavira stood meditating, unmoving and stationary like a mountain He found the bullocks grazing in the vicinity of Mahavira The last evening's exertion, frustration and the sight of the bullocks close to Mahavira inflamed him It sparked in him a doubt that the Muni had designs over his bullocks That was the cause perhaps why the saint stood mute to his queries He was beside himself with wrath No sooner had he raised his rope to lash Mahavira than he heard the steps of an approaching horse 1 The rider was no other than Nandiwardhan who was stunned to see the sight He revealed the identity of Mahavira to the rustic who sincerely rued his foolish conduct
Mahavira awoke from his deep meditation King Nandiwardhan stood before him He said, 'You are unattended here You are lost in meditation in this wilderness Assaults similar to the one that could somehow be averted are likely to be repeated Permit me to appoint a few soldiers in your attendance to guard you'
1 'Awashyakchurni' i pt pp 268-270