Tirthankar Mahavir

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

Page 89

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
caused you great harm. Be enlightened." The words worked wonders. They pacified Chandakaushika. Just as rain cools the earth, so the words had a calming effect on Chandakaushika.
As soon as Chandakaushika heard the words of Mahavira, it recalle its past births. It realised what a great set-back he had suffered by succumbing to the passion of anger. The cobra circled Mahavira thrice and bowed in reverence at Mahavira's feet. Chandakaushika took and observed the vow of fast-unto-death and died whilst in pure meditation. As a result, he was born as a god in the eighth heavenly world.
Savior from the Tempest
Mahavira was on his way to Surabhipura. At one point he had to cross the river Ganges. He was on the bank of the river. The river was bursting over both its banks. A boat-man named Siddhadanta was standing by with his boat and directing travellers to their seats one by one. Mahavira too boarded the boat.
Soon the boat started moving. At that moment an owl hooted sudden.y from the left bank. It was very unusual for an owl to hoot in stark daylight.
Harassmert by Sudanshtra
Among the travellers in the boat was an astrologer named Khemila. He said, "O brothers, we have an evil omen. The hooting of the owl foretells that a great disaster will befall us by which we may even lose our lives." Thus speaking he started watching the faces of his fellow-travellers. He saw Mahavira. On seeing him, the true embodiment of love and compassion, joy spread on his face. He was relieved of all his worries. He said, “O brothers, do not worry at all. Our calamity will be averted. We know that because of the sins of even one man the whole boat wrecks and sinks. Similarly, because of the spiritual merit of even one great saint, even a sinking boat can safely reach the other bank. In our boat, there is such a great saint. Though there may suddenly come a frightening calamity, yet on account of the power of his spiritual merit that calamity will ultimately disappear without causing any harm to us."
The boat-man Siddhadanta was expert in rowing the boat. Within a short time he steered his boat to the middle of the river. Everyone felt that in no time they would be standing on the other bank. But suddenly a storm broke out. Black clouds gathered and darkness spread everywhere. There