Walk With Me

Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 45

Ch. 3: Ajja Chandana - Women's Liberation
the one who would shed tears over her miseries. Hers must have been the tears of joy over encountering Mahavir."
"You are correct, Ganadhar Sudharma," I responded. “Even at that young age she must have had equanimity and balanced mind. Living through such an ordeal without protest or self-pity, and accepting life as it came is impossible without equanimity. Such a person would not be crying with self-pity at the door. She must be saying to herself, 'I have lost everything; even my friends and relatives; but I am lucky to have Bhagwan come to my door today! Come, My Bhagwan. Please accept whatever I have to offer!' Certainly, hers were tears of joy.
or
"Mahavir also was gazing at Chandanbala with fixed eyes. He wondered, “This poor and unfortunate woman has familiar face. But I have never seen anyone with such intense Living through an devotion to offer me food. Kings and ordeal without protest
self-pity, and barons have also offered me food but none
accepting life as it with such devotion. I have refused all came is impossible
without equanimity. offers of food for more than five months, but I cannot break the heart of this devoted child.' Mahavir moved closer and extended his hands to receive her lentils. Imagine the flow of tears from Chandanbala! Such a feeling of fulfillment!
WS
The news that Mahavir had broken his fast by accepting food from an ordinary housekeeper spread quickly. King Shatanik, Queen Mrigavati and hundreds of citizens of Kaushambi rushed to witness the event. Mrigavati was anxious to see the woman who persuaded Mahavir to break his fast. "Who is this lucky woman?" she thought. "How many
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