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Chapter - VI
MAHĀVĪRA: THE GREAT WANDERER*
Who is a wanderer: the spirit which travels and yet travels not, which is far and near as well, which resides within and without - says the Iśāvāšyopanişad. In the same vein, the Jaina dictum says - the medium of motion (dharma) provides movement to the spirit (and matter); otherwise the universe would come to a stand still, like water helping the motion of fish. Similarly, the medium of rest (adharma) provides steadiness; otherwise there would be no stability in this universe, like the shade of a tree providing rest to the weary travellers.
The spirit wanders from one birth to the next, moving on and onwards, a seemingly endless search, searching for that which is in one's own being. Like the Kasturi deer, which is intoxicated by the fragrance and jumps about searching for it, not knowing that the fragrance is within its own being.
One can discuss this wandering at many levels, pondering over its geographical as well as metaphysical significance. Particularly motivating are the wanderings of the ancient seers, one of whom was Lord Mahāvīra whose wanderings were not just to sanctify the Earth, but a journey of the higher realms as well.
* Published in Jain Journal, Vol. XXXVII, Calcutta, 2 October 2002. This article is co-authored by Dr. Pratibha Jain.
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