Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 70

for his love. Some uttered sweet words into his ears. Some, infatuated with amorous feelings, danced before him. Some tenderly touched his body. . The Yogi Vardhamana endured these harassments for four months. Yet there did not appear on his face a single line of dislike, anger or agitation. His mind remained unruffled and unagitated. His meditation continued uninterrupted
Vardhamana reached a village named Karmara when only the last forty-eight minutes of the day of his renunciation were left. He engaged himself in meditation in standing posture on the outskirts of the village. He completely forgot the outside world. He was totally oblivious of what was happening around him. Sp ritual light was spreading in his inner world. He became deeply engrossed in his inner reflection. Although a young lady poked fun at him, a young man jeered at him, or a passer-by
taunted him, he would remain engrossed in the meditative trance without being disturbed or agitated in any way. He remained as firm as a mountain.
An ordinary man looks upon an enemy as an enemy. But Mahavira considered his enemy so be his best friend. How could Mahavira have any enemies when he had already turned all enemies into friends by his universal love ? In his twelve and a half years of spiritual practice, Mahavira had to pass through many ordeals and he had to endure many afflictions and calamities. However, the aftermath of these ordeals was such that his soul came out ever more radiant and purer.
Equaturity in the midst of favouabe upsarga.
Greed Assisted by Temptation
Having renounced inexhaustible wealth and prosperity, the venerable Mahavira was on his way to the forest. For thirteen months he continued to wear the piece of divine cloth given to him by Shakra Indra. Then the following event took place on account of which he even gave up his last piece of clothing.