Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 71

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
For a full year before the renunciation ceremony, in the town of Brahmanakundagrama, Prince Vardhamana had donated all his wealth and possessions. During that period, a local Brahmana called Soma Sharma had left his hungry family in the town and gone to a remote region to beg for alms. He wandered far and wide but got nothing. He returned home crest fallen and downcast. His wife was very angry with him. She scolded him : "O most unfortunate one, when there was a daily shower of gold and silver in this town, you were not here. Then you were begging for alms in a faroff place. When Prince Vardhamana donated his wealth to the people, you were roaming in a remote region going from one village to another village with an empty bowl in your hands. What cruel fate !"
Soma Sharma said, "O my dear, do not worry. I shall find Prince Vardhamana in no time and obtain donation from him."
His wife said, "O man, your fate is like a broken pot. After the year long distribution of gold and silver among the people the charity-house has been closed. And Prince Vardhamana has already left Jnatakhanda Park after his renunciation rites. So, you must hurry and run. He is like a moving wishfulfilling tree. He will surely give you something."
Soma Sharma ran towards Jnatakhanda Park. From a distance he saw Mahavira walking ahead alone and possessionless. There was but only a piece of divine cloth over his shoulder. Soma Sharma saluted him by placing his head on the Prince's feet and then said, "O Vardhamana, I am a friend of your father. You have satisfied everyone, you have fulfilled their wishes and made them rich. It will not be good if you give me nothing. Have all our personal relations ended after the death of your father?"
Mahavira stopped. Soma Sharma said, "What is this? You have removed the poverty of the whole world. Why, then, do you keep me, an unfortunate being, deprived of your compassion? Am I not worthy of it? Please, be kind and compassionate towards me. You love all without any discrimination."
Mahavira became thoughtful. Soma Sharma said in a beseeching tone, "I have approached the wish-fulfilling tree. And yet will my wish remain unfulfilled ?" His eyes were full of tears. Again, he saluted Mahavira and respectfully touched his feet. The eyes of the God of the poor met the eyes of the poor. The sight resembled that when the sun looks at a sunflower.
Mahavira's heart melted. He lifted his hand and pulled off the divine