Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 49

precious garments and ornaments. Sweets and items useful at school were distributed to all the students. The teacher allotted a seat to Vardhamana. On this auspicious occasion the teacher too, had put on new clothes.
When the parents were taking Vardhamana for admission to the school, Indra's throne felt a tremor. Indra knew with his psychic power that Vardhamana was being taken to school. He thought: "Can any ordinary person teach the one who already possesses extraordinary knowledge of all sciences? Who is capable of teaching the one who knows everything of the past, present and future? It is like holding an earthen oil lamp to the sun."
Indra (the lord of gods) knew that just as tirthankaras are handsome in appearance even without any adornments, similarly they were highly knowledgeable without having to learn. He thought that if a tirthankara sat on the ground and the teacher on a high seat, then that would be an act of great impropriety and indiscretion on part of the teacher and mark of disrespect to the tirthankara. To avert the awkward situation. Indra assumed the form of an old Brahmana. He went to the school and made Vardhamana sit beside the teacher's seat. Then he started asking him difficult questions. He had selected such questions that even the teacher had difficulty in answering them.
In the presence of teachers and students, there took place a great test of knowledge. Questions asked by Indra, who was in the guise of an old Brahmana, were not ordinary. They were very difficult questions pertaining to the science of grammar considered to be very tough and intricate by everyone. Observers wondered how could a little boy like Vardhamana give answers to questions tha: had been troubling and puzzling even the great pandits for long time. But to the surprise of all, little Prince Vardhamana started giving answers to them as if they were very simple and easy. All present there were astonished at Vardhamana's display of his vast knowledge. Everybody was puzzled as to how and when he acquired such deep knowledge of the science of grammer, when did he find time to study these sciences. Though he possessed vast knowledge, he was very modes:, humble and polite. Though he was an ocean of knowledge, none could notice even a minute sign of pride or egoism.
All were struck with wonder to realise that the little boy Vardhamana was clearing up doubts about various points which even the great pard:ts had in their minds which they themselves could not resolve unail that day. Also some pandits expressed their
48
ma