Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 82

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
Mahavira said, "O friend, forgiveness is granted to enemies only. But you are my friend because you have tested my power of endurance and my spiritual strength."
Shulpani was surprised to hear Mahavira's words and he said, "Friend ? And that too your friend ? Do you know how much I have tortured
you ?"
Mahavira said, "Yes, you can be a friend and not only my friend but also a friend of the whole world. You thought that you can pacify your enmity through the instrumentalising of enmity. You submitted yourself to anger and hatred and you became anger itself. You inflicted calamities and tortures on men. But, please, remember that cruelty and hard-heartedness will never pacify your mind. Only love and forgiveness will give you peace of mind. Enmity breeds enmity. And love breeds love. The remedy for the disease of hatred is not retaliation and revenge; it is love and forgiveness."
The words of Mahavira had a soothing effect on Shulpani just as a shower of rain cools the parched earth. Shulpani's eyes which had been defiled by the redness of anger and enmity became pure. They were full of love and compassion. His inner eye opened to see the universal truth. His fears subsided on the realisation of the strength of fearlessness. The clouds of calamities hanging over Shulpani dispersed after Mahavira's preaching. The root cause of those calamities was removed.
The villagers also became happy. The cruel and arrogant demi-god Shulpani became a humble devotee of Mahavira. He sang the praises of Mahavira and his unique qualities. Shulpani became happy and cheerful. He, whose violent hoarse-laughter made the earth quake a short while ago, was now himself reciting devotional songs in praise of Mahavira in a sweet voice and nodding in appreciation of Mahavira's noble character.
The Vices and Tricks of Acchandaka
At the end of the four months of the rainy season, Mahavira left Asthikagrama and set out on foot for Moraka village. He stayed in a park on the outskirts of the village. A hypocrite called Acchandaka, who used to cheat the ignorant and innocent people, lived in the village. He would influence them by boasting about his supernatural knowledge of magical formulas, charts and yogic powers. During the day he assumed the role of a practising astrologer, read horoscopes and palms and predicted future