Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 79

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
the attachment and care for a hut ? When I do not care for the body in which my priceless soul lives, why should I care for this thatched hut? Lust as I do not have any attachment for my body, I should not have any attachment for this hut. Forgetting my soul, should I engage myself in guarding the hut?"
Further Mahavira said to himself : "It is on my account that the head of the hermitage and the other ascetics are disturbed and distressed. As a matter of fact, I should choose such a place to meditate which does not cause any trouble or inconvenience to anybody. My peace of mind should never be the cause of another's mental distress or agitation. I should always be vigilant of this."
The venerable Mahavira approached the head of the hermitage. Only fifteen days of the four-month long rainy season had passed. He humbly and lovingly requested the head to allow him to leave the hermitage and with his consent he left the hermitage.
The whole episode made Mahavira to take the following five vows: (1) Not to stay in a place which causes inconvenience or distress to others (2) To always remain engrossed in meditation and to find a place conducive to meditation. (3) To observe silence for most of the time. (4) Not to use utensils for taking and eating cooked food but to use the palms of the hands. (5) Not to flatter a householder.
These five resolves of tirthankara Mahavira became the five great rules which governed his spiritual discipline and practice.
Cruel Tormentor Becomes Humble Devotee
While walking from the hermitage of the duijjamta tapasa ascetics, Mahavira entered a village called Asthikagrama in Videha country. The village was deserted because of the cruelty and harassment of a demi-god Shulpani caused to the people. So, it looked more like a cremation ground. Many of the houses were dilapidated and ruined as they had been deserted by their inhabitants a long time ago. Skeletons and bones lay scattered everywhere. The village was thus known as Asthikagrama. The word 'asthi means bones and the word 'grama' means village.
There was a temple dedicated to Shulpani built on a hill just outside the village. Mahavira decided to spend the night at the temple. It was not