Tirthankar Mahavir

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

Page 45

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
the
courage and was strong. Once his friends insisted he play with them wished to play a game called 'amba-pipli'.
He went with them outside the city. In the game, there must be at least seven players. One of them is made the catcher whose task it is to catch ore of the other players while the others try to run from him and hide in the foliage of the tree. A circle is drawn at the base of the tree where the catcher places a stick and then goes off to catch one of the players. Whils he is away from the circle, one of the players will try to get to it and throw the stick as far as he can. The catcher then has to go and fetch the stick, place it back in the circle and then start catching again. The game was in full swing when suddenly a large cobra black as a moonless night appeared at the base of the tree. It had big yellow glowing eyes and a white moustache, Its hissing was so horrifying that even grown up persons would also shudder from fear. All the players took to their heels to save their lives. Some climbed trees and tightly clung to the branches while others ran away. All the boys were trembling - but not our Vardhman. He had no fear. He was not afraid of the cobra which was moving its tongue in and out making loud hissing noises, its hood fully expar.ded. Vardhman caught the cobra by the tail and threw it far. He told his friends to come back and restart the game. All his friends congratulated him, calling Vardhman a hero. They praised his courage and bravery. The children then resumed their game.
It is interesting to know what led to this event. Once Sudharma Indra praised Vardhmara's heroic character before the Gods of his heavenly world. On hearing these words, one God decided to frighten and defeat Vardhmana and therefore assumed the form of a terrifying cobra. It was this God that appeared when Vardhmana was playing with his friends. After Vardhmana fearlessly flung the cobra away the God who had set out to scare Vardhmana got distressed and was scared. Tirthankara Mahavira displayed his bravery, courage and patience and won the hearts of all.
Courageous and Brave Vardhamana
Losing gambler will gamble twice as much, thinking he will recover.. Similarly, the defeated god was provoked in to rage. He thought of another plan to frighten and defeat Vardhamana. After disposing off the danger of cobra, Vardhamana and his friends started playing another game called "Tindushaka'. In this game one player bends down and stands on all fours