Tirthankar Mahavira A Biographical in Verse

Author(s): Mukesh Chhajer
Publisher: Mukesh Chhajer

Page 19

Mukesh Chhajer
Off he went, without waiting for an answer While the monk was lost, deep in meditation Upon his return, with his oxen nowhere in sight And no replies to his incessant enquiries that Infuriated the cowherd beyond any measures As the monk was still unaware of his surroundings Eager to teach the monk a lesson The cowherd readied himself, with a rope A booming voice, though, froze him in his tracks “Stop, O fool, don't make such a grave mistake He is not a thief but the Prince Vardhaman himself”
It was the Lord of the Heavens himself Who had come to the rescue of the young monk Realizing his error, the cowherd sought forgiveness That was duly granted, without any ill-will “Let me provide you with protection, O Lord” Indra entreated, “To save you from the foolishness of ignorant people. So you may proceed, uninterrupted” To which, the young monk replied, with a smile “Liberation cannot be attained, O Lord of the Heavens With the help of others, be they gods or demons. The laws of karma do not bow to anyone.”
At another time, the young monk arrived In a small town, that had been devastated By Shulpani, the lance wielding demon Anyone who dared to stay in his temple Was reduced to bare bones before the daybreak Undeterred by the entreaties of the village folks The monk made temple his nightly abode Already lost in deep meditation, even Before the demon returned