Tirthankar Mahavir

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

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Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
doubts which Vardhamana resolved. The pandits who had come there to impart knowledge, became receivers of knowledge themselves. They acquired knowledge from Vardhamana. They got answers to their intricate questions, they got their doubts removed. Vardhamana's answers covered the entire science of grammar Before Vardhamana, who was endowed with light of perfect all-comprehensive knowledge of all sciences, the science of grammar itself stood, so to say, with folded hands in reverence.
The time arrived to disclose the fact. Indra who was in the guise of an old Brahmana declared : "Please listen to me. This is not an ordinary boy. In fact, he is an ocean of knowledge, he is a knower of all sciences, he is omniscient. He is not to be taught. He is well-versed in all sciences."
Vardhanan Gong
to the School
Having said those words, Indra worshipped him with devotional songs and then returned to his celestial abode. Questions asked by Indra and answers given by Vardhamana were collected and compiled to form a grammatical work wel known by the little 'Aaindra Vyakarana'.
Before Vardhamana's return to the palace from the school, the story of his extraordinary knowledge had already reached there and everyone knew it.
Fortunate and Blessed Yashoda
Prince Vardhamarra rode a beautiful white horse and moved in jungles and woods. He enjoyed watching innocent and docile deer grazing soft grass in the green grass-land. He loved to see stags, antelopes and others resting in citterent parts of the fields. Forests, trees, creepers, flowers, birds, brooks, rivers, mountains - all appeared to him as his beloved ones. Other princes of warrior class/caste indulged in hunting and shooting arrows at the dumb animals. But Vardhamana did not like to hurt any animal. He did not like even to pluck a flower. His companion princes aimed arrows at animals to shoot them, while Vardhamana thought as follows: "In this world all beings are living in their own ways. Mutual love and co-operation is the natural order of the world. The world of mutual love and cooperation is full of joy and happiness. In such a pleasant world how can one kill an innocent being by shooting an arrow at it? Life is the same in all beings. All beings are equal. As we like to live, so others too like to live. Life is dear to all. An animal, a human, a tree and an ant all love their lives. So one should view others as one views oneself. Others' happiness is ours. Our happiness should not be such as would cause pain and misery to others."
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