Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

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MAHAVIRA'S FIRST SIX YEARS AS AN ASCETIC
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After he had passed the rainy season there in fasts of two weeks, the Lord left the village Asthika to wander elsewhere. Sulapāņi followed the Lord, bowed to him and said: "Disregarding your own comfort, you came here from compassion for me. No one is as wicked as I who did harm even to you. No one is as good as you who did good even to me. Up to this time which hell would I have gone to, if you, diligent in benefits to all, had not enlightened me? After this speech Sulapāņi, filled with devotion, bowed to the Blessed One, and departed, calm as an elephant free from ichor.
The story of Acchandaka (170-218)
A year after the day of his initiation, the Master went to the hamlet Moraka and stood in statuesque posture in a garden outside. In this hamlet there was a heretic, Acchandaka by name, who lived by means of astrological charms, spells, et cetera. Unable to endure his high standing and desiring worship of the Master, the Vyantara Siddhartha entered the Master's body. He summoned a passing cowherd and said:
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"Sir, you have eaten millet and boiled rice with pickle and you are going to take care of cattle. As you came along you saw a snake; in your sleep you cried out very loud. Does this accord with the truth? Say, cowherd." He said, It is certainly the truth," and Siddhartha again told him various things that created confidence. Astonished, the cowherd went to the village and told, Outside in a garden there is a devārya who knows the three times and has filled me with confidence."
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Hearing that, all the villagers full of curiosity went quickly to the Master's vicinity, carrying flowers, unhusked rice, et cetera for a pūjā. Siddhartha entered the Master and said to the villagers, " You have all come here to see my supernatural power, haven't you?" The villagers affirmed this, and Siddhartha told them what they had seen, done, heard, and said both in the past and at that time. Siddhartha foretold the future also. When the people heard this, then they made a