Book Title: Tirthankar Mahavir
Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

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Page 109
________________ Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra www.kobatirth.org Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir The sun was setting and the farmers were returning to their houses with their ploughs and bullocks singing joyful folk songs. The shepherds were making their way back to the village with their herds of cows. They filled the atmosphere with the sweet tunes of their flutes. The jingling bells around the necks of cows added to the musical melody of the evening. The water of the river Rujuvalika was very pure. The river made a soothing rippling sound as it flowed. There were paddy fields on the banks of the river. One of the fields had teak trees with dense green foliage under which stood a ruined old temple. It was the last quarter of the day. The moon was in conjunction with the constellation Uttaraphalguni. Mahavira was observing fast of two and a half days, not even taking water. Mahavira sat in meditation behind the temple in the squatting posture that a shepherd assumes while milking a cow, with his heels joined, knees up, hands on knees and the head low. Mahavira was engaged in deep pure meditation. Like a ship about to reach the shore after a long arduous journey, Mahavira was about to attain the highest fruit of his spiritual practices There was a sudden change in the atmosphere. The hot wincs of summer stopped blowing and were replaced by fragrant cool breeze. An inspiring light spread in the sky and the earth danced with joy. The world which had been afflicted with the fire of pain, agony and anguish experienced soothing cool breeze of love, peace and friendship. Age-old enemies became the best of friends. There were deer leaping about and playing in amusement without any fear from a tiger standing in front of them. In the ambience of love and compassion, even the violent tiger lost its aggressive nature and became loving and affectionate towards his traditional victims.A mongoose and a serpent suddenly came out from the thicket in the field. What an amazing scene ! They were happily playing together having forgotten the enmity they had inherited from generation to generation. But what was the cause of this change ? Mahavira had attained pure knowledge and had become omniscient. Having destroyed the four soul 108 For Private And Personal Use Only

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