Tirthankar Mahavir

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

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were booms of thunder and flashes of lightning. Torrential rain started pouring accompanied by violent winds. The waves in the river rose as high as mountains The boat started heaving and falling in the river. When it was caught in the whirling wind, the boat spun uncontrollably in the river. Its mast broke into pieces. Its sail-cloth was torn to shreds. And the travellers were in great distress.
What was the cause of the sudden storm ? Mahavira's soul, in its previous birth as Triprushtha Vasudeva, had killed a lion. The soul of that lion was born as a god named Sudanshtra. On seeing Mahavira now, Sudamshtra recalled his past enmity towards Mahavira. The idea of revenge and retaliation possessed him. He decided to wreak vengeance upon Mahavira. And it was he who caused tempest in the river Ganges. All, except Mahavira, trembled with fear on seeing their death before them. Some wept
Bhagwan Mahave Crossing the Ganga, evi! doers Sudanshtra and
Nagkumar
bitterly. Some screamed in distress. Some were so worried that they ran here and there. Some blamed their fate. All gave vent to their grief differently. Even a skilled boat-man like Siddhadanta was really frightened. Only
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