Tirthankar Mahavir and His Sarvodaya Tirth

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

Page 53

BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRA
PRESENT LIFE
speak Words link one with others, but he was not covetous of such a link Words convey thoughts. They are an instrument in the exchange of ideas Words help understanding, they help to explain But he had not to understand beyond what he had understood, and he merged deep into it He had nothing to explain so then where was the utility of words? He had the faculty of speech, but he had no need of it. For all the while, he was immersed within
He gave up his bath and did not clean his mouth Being alıke to friend and foe, he took shelter in the mountain caves. Friends and foes are a product of attachment When attachment had ended, there was no question of there being a friend or a foe Monk Vardhamana was perfectly detached. It was perfectly immaterial for him if somebody was favourably disposed towards him or its reverse He was perfectly unconcerned about the world
A favourable or an adverse natural situation did not cause him any pleasure or pain He was never perturbed by the excesses of summer, winter or rains. Even scenic beauties did not attract him; for his mind was wholly plugged against them. Nor could natural calamities disturb him, because he had fully conquered fear
Many a wild animal gave up its ferociousness at the sight of his tranquil stature, natural simplicity, a harmfree life and humility. Wherever he went, the environment turned into a peaceful one.
If at times the question of the intake of food came up, he would think of imposing some difficult conditions for acceptance before he entered into a nearby city. If some sravaka (follower of the Jaina path, strictly ‘listner') could perchance fulfil the conditions and offered him pure food with ninefold devotion, he would stop in full humility and with meticulous care, accept the food and take it and thereafter soon return to the forest After initiation, he took food for the first time in a city named Kulagram from the hands of king Kula Once he accepted food from the hands of a pious lady Candanbala who was at that time in great distress