Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 69

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
The path of spiritual discipline is not a bed of roses, it is a bed of spikes and thorns. Pilgrims on this path attain higher and higher spiritual stages by destroying their past karmas and the past karmas are destroyed when their fruits in the form of calamities and afflictions are endured peacefully and patiently, When the spiritual practictioners experience the painful fruits of past karmas with courage, keeping the mind calm and unagitated, the past karmas get dissociated from the soul in such a way that they do not cause the bondage of new karmas in their trail and as a result of it the spiritual practictioners attain liberation - the highest stage of spiritual evolution. But for the attainment of liberation the necessary prerequisite is the attainment of omniscience. And for the attainment of omniscience the necessary precondition is the destruction of negative karmas which cover or adversely affect the natural qualities of soul. Yog Vardhamana's heart was full of friendliness, love and compassion towards all beings. He sincerely wished for the spiritual welfare of all human beings. He was kind and loving towards the smallest of creatures.
Vardhamana, the compassionate one, was quite alone in his spiritual journey. He mostly observed fasts and remained absorbed in meditation in the standing posture.
Endurance of calamities and afflictions displayed to the world the spiritual strength of Vardhamana. He exhibited his stupendous spiritual energy through patiently enduring all calamities, afflictions and inflictions. By example, he made it quite clear that spiritual strength could vanquish even the mightiest of the mighty.
The workings of past karmas are beyond our comprehension and understanding. The fragrant sandal paste applied to his body at the time of his renunciation celebrations was still on his body. The fragrant pollen of the garland-flowers with which he was adorned then were still sticking to his body. The fragrance spreading from his body attracted wild wasps towards the body. The wasps stung him. The wounds were so severe and deep that blood flowed from them. Attracted by the fascinating fragrance, young men ran to the yogi Vardhamana. Some asked him to give them those fragrant substances. Some inquired from where they could obtain those substances. Some scratched his body to get the fragrant sandal paste. Bewitched by his charming body women harassed him in various ways. The harassments they inflicted on him were tempting and enticing. They were so fascinated by his charming and fragrant body that they went mad after him. Some begged him