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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
Reign of Harassment
"In halting-places, Tirthankara Mahavira endured calamities and afflictions of various sorts. Insects and birds living there inflicted pain and suffering on him by stinging, biting or pecking. The wicked men troubled him in various ways. Sometimes villagers harassed him with weapons in their hands. Sometimes lustful women and men disturbed him, seeing him alone. Those who wandered single at night asked him as to who he was. He, being in meditation, could not reply them. So they became furious with him. But when he was not in meditation, he simply answered that he was a religious beggar. He said nothing more. So they too became very angry. But venerable Mahavira kept his mind cool, calm and equanimous, and engaged himself in meditation. Thus supreme was the spiritual practice of Tirthankara Mahavira." (31-1, 34-5)
Neutral or Disinterested Attitude
"While staying in places where many other people lived, he never cast a glance at women; on the contrary he turned his eyes inward and engaged himself in meditation. He kept himself aloof from householders. He established no relation with them. He was always in meditation. Even if anybody asked him questions, he would not answer. If anybody saluted him with reverence, he would pay no heed to it. And if anybody harassed him, he would endure it with equanimity. He had no interest in hearing stories, songs or music, nor had he any interest in witnessing theatrical performances, dances, plays, duels, fist-fights, acrobatic feats, magical shows, etc., nor had he any interest in overhearing conversation of other people. He never felt sorry. He never experienced grief. He was indifferent to pleasures and pains. He remained always neutral or disinterested. He always kept himself engaged in spiritual practice, deep reflection and meditation. He endured, with equanimity, unbearable pains and distresses. That was his supreme heroism. In all places, at all times and in all circumstances, he remained unagitated, calm and equanimous. He never expected or sought any help from anybody to overcome terrible calamities. He bravely endured them."(6-10)
In the Conflagration of Violence
"Venerable Mahavira toured even in Ladha country, Vajrabhumi and Shubhrabhumi which were very difficult to travel. There he had to use beds and seats which were highly uncomfortable. The people of those country were barbarians. They were cruel. They beat him, tortured him. He could get only tasteless and dry food. The people let loose hounds on him. They provaked them to bite him. And they bit him. The people of Vajrabhumi were very cruel. Ascetics of other sects, while on tour, kept staffs or pipes in their hands to protect themselves from hounds. At times hounds bit Tirthankara Mahavira and tore out flash from his body. But even in such barbaric countries, he took no recourse to any type of violence, renounced all attachments to his body and endured all pains and afflications with equanimity. He bravely won victory over all calamities, as does a victorious elephant in the front row of the infantry on the battlefield." 176
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