Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 81

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
temple, Mahavira decided to stay there because he wanted to endure the calamities and, more importantly, he wanted to awaken Shulpani to spiritual living
Shulpani was watching what was going on. He made up his mind to perpetrate cruelty during the night, on Mahavira who had so slighted his power and strength by spending the night at the temple.
Night fell. There was a horrifying sense of loneliness all around. Suddenly there was a burst of thunder as if the entire world was about to collapse. And there appeared the fierce Shulpani holding dazzling frightening spears in his hands. He gave a violent and heart wrenching laugh. There was great commotion in the atmosphere. The whole temple trembled. But Mahavira was not affected in the least. He stood unmoved. Angry at the sight of the calm Mahavira, Shulpari assumed the form of a wild elephant. He caught Mahavira with his trunk, lifted him up and then threw him down. Suddenly the elephant disappeared and in his place appeared a terrifying goblin with long sharp nails and protruding pointed teeth. The goblin gnawed into Mahavira's body with nails and teeth. Blood oozed from the wounds inflicted on Mahavira. After some time the goblin disappeared and suddenly there appeared a poisonous cobra. It was as if the famous Shesha cobra had rushed into the scene after breaking out from the nether world. Making frightening hisses, the cobra repeatedly stung Mahavira. Shulpani inflicted, produced with his extra-ordinary powers, unbearable pains in Mahavira's eyes, ears, nose, head, teeth, nails and back. Even one of these pains would have caused the death of an ordinary person. But Mahavira's mind remained untouched by those pains just as a lotus in water remains untouched by water. He endured all the tortures with a wonderful calmness and remained as firm and unagitated as Mount Meru.
The night of tortures continued. The cruel and wicked demi-god thought that he would defeat Mahavira with his monstrous physical strength. But Mahavira's spiritual strength won victory. How could a wicked person like Shulpani induce fear into the heart of a person like Mahavira who was so spiritually strong and steadfast? Mahavira's heart was full of compassion and love. His mind was completely equanimous.
Finally, Shulpani's heart underwent a dramatic change. He fell at the feet of Mahavira and humbly said, "O Lord, kindly forgive me."