Shraman Mahavira

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

Page 63

AMONGST THE PRIMITIVES
45
''Least comfortable These are mountainous regions The three seasons of winter, summer and rain are at their intensest there'
'Did the Lord witness all the three seasons there?'
Initially it was winter when the Lord went there During the second visit the summer and the rains, both, welcomed him there
'Was the first sojourn briefer than the subsequent one?'
'The later sojourn lasted six months while in the earlier one only two to three months were spent 'l
'How did the tribals receive him?'
'There were few cows and those ones also almost dry They did not grow cotton Straw served as their covering
'Their food was dry as they had no butter or oil The breakfast consisted of sour juices and cold rice Adding salt to it was not favoured amongst them The lunch consisted of dry rice and meat The dry meals made them irritable for the merest excuse they would bitterly quarrel Garrulousness was in their blood 2 Once the Lord walked along to a village The villagers distrusted him They said "You nude fellow! What brings you here? Turn back and go "The Lord turned back '8
'On another occasion they offered him no shelter and he returned to the jungle to stay under a tree
'Excuse me my interruption When the Lord sought isolation why should he visit human habitation ?
'The Lord would visit the villages for his meals and water During the six months' sojourn he sought a shelter for the rainy season but to no avail He passed the inclement season wandering and staying under the trees 5 Sometimes the displeased villagers caused physical injuries to him
1 Acharangachurni pp 319, Awashyakchurni i pt pp 296,
Acharangavrithi' pp 282 2 'Awashyakchurni'l pt pp 290 3 Ibid pp 320 4 'Ayaro' 9/3/8, 'Acharangachurni' pp 319 5 'Awashyakchurni' 1 pt pp 296