Tirthankar Mahavir and His Sarvodaya Tirth

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

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TIRTHANKARA MAHAVIRA AND HIS SARVODAYA TIRTHA
Vardhamana smiled and said, “Wherein lies the heroism in this ? Does heroism consist in remaining undaunted at the sight of a snake ? Is it now the only test of heroism in the world ? If the an swer is in the affirmative, then all the snake-charmers are great heroes And did you come to hold a test of me? And now you are offering me a certificate. But when did I need a certificate from you? Will bravery roll down in future through certificates ? If you desire to hold a test, test yourself, examine yourself, but why examine others ? Every one is anxious to test others, to know others but the nature of the soul is to throw light on self. Know yourself first and then you will know others.”
The god Sangama was just sweating on hearing the logical, inspiring and serious words of the boy and began to praise him profusely.
The courage and patience of the boy was discussed all over the city. People now started calling him a Vira, Ativira and Mahavira.
The prince was a brilliant boy. He could resolve most difficult of the problems in a moment. Vardhamana who was philosophical discussions used to make his companions swallow them while they were in the midst of an ordinary conversation.
Once he was seated at the fourth floor of the palace in a very thoughtful mood Some friends of his childhood days came to see him and enquired of mother Trisala where Vardhamana was She said, "He is upstairs." All the boys ran up at top speed and reached the seventh floor but Vardhamana was not there. There they asked king Siddhartha who was in his studies where Vardhamana was. The king said, "He is downstairs." On hearing the opposite words of the parents, the boys were in a confusion Then they started searching at each floor and discovered him at the fourth floor seated in a pensive mood. Accusing him, the boys said, “You are seated here in hiding in a pensive mood like a philosopher and we have been looking for you all over the seven floors.” “Why didn't you ask my mother ?”, said Vardhamana readily. Said the friends, “Our asking became a source of greater confusion. The mother said