Tirthankar Mahavir and His Sarvodaya Tirth

Author(s): Hukamchand Bharilla, K C Lalwani
Publisher: Kundkund Kahan Digambar Jain Trust

Page 47

BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRA PRESENT LIFE
39
With a grave posture, Vardhamana looked at them and addressed them as follows: "Where is the heroism in winning over helpless creature. The greatest heroism lies in winning the self The conquest of self is another name for the conquest of delusion, attachment, greed, etc This soul has conquered many on innumerable occassions but it has never conquered itself In knowing and conquering others, the soul has wasted an infinite number of lives, and in consequence gone deeper and deeper in misery Had it known itself but once, conquered itself but once, it would have been full of knowledge and bliss It would have cut asunder rebirths and become a Bhagavan. What is the heroism in taming an elephant ? Had it really be an act of heroism, then every elephant-driver would be considered to be a hero, for, they always keep the elephant under control not a great thing to control others; to control the self is the highest heroism One who has controlled self has realised himself "
It is
The elderly members of the government could not be out amazed not only at the bravery of the prince, but also at the maturity of his thoughts
He had a ready wit and never lost his balance even in difficult situations. His heroism, fearlessness and patience were even matters of discussion by the gods So once a god Sangama by name decided to test Vardhamana One day when in a playing mood, the boy Vardhamana, who was a delight to his parents, relations and members of the royal household, while playing with other boys, climbed on a tree, the said god Sangama took the form of a cobra and coiled the trunk of the tree. The cobra who was the very personification of death was hissing severely which spread terror all around and everywhere there was a dreadful silence When other boys were trembling in fear, Sangama could not terrify the young Vardhamana, despite his multifarious efforts When he saw the boy undaunted and fearless descending torwards him, even the terrible cobra lost its anger. He came out in his original form and started praising his patience and fearlessness in the following words: "Indeed, you are really a hero, nay, a great hero Your heroism is beyond description"