Shraman Mahavira

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

Page 50

SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
32
I visualized body-consciousness in the context of Lord Mahavira's initiation We saw how Mahavira left his abode alone He had discarded the jewels, and the apparels His feet were bare Nothing interposes between him and the earth and the sky No utensil is carried for meals Carrying any wealth was unthinkable None accompanies him A truly detatched being The pursuit of renunciation has set off the renunciation of the set mental modes, the renunciation of set notions, the renunciation of physical appellations
I meekly observed 'Such a body is the prime means of spiritual regeneration Any body may not be the prime means of spiritual regeneration but such a body certainly is the means of spiritual regeneration that has shed attachment once for
all
The only possession of the Lord was his body and in addition to it his consciousness--the consciousness that is blessed with the stream of bliss on one side and indefatigability on the other
Previously affection was the link with the body Now the relation is that of give and take Earlier it was a relation of deferred payment Now it is a system of cash payment The Lord spent most of his time in meditation His meals were sparing, just enough to subsist
His relation with the body was nothing but healthy. He would offer it the necessary nutrition and the latter would repay him with necessary energy in its turn He would deny It all surplus nutrition and the latter would deny him all redundant energy that might pollute, stimulate or sedate the mind.
The Lord had no home He would pass most of his time in a deserted house, temple, a bower or forest Once a while a cremation ground would lodge him 1 In the first year of his pursuit he made a transit from Kollak to Morak. Wandering monks had built a hermitage in the outskirts of it He visited them The chief monk had been friendly to the Lord's father, Siddhartha He knew the Lord well A hermit saw the
1 'Ayaro' 9/2/2,3