Sadhvi Vishrut Vibha
Patience Reaps Success
Two thousand five hundred years ago, Lord Mahavira went to Pristha Champa from Rajgriha. From there, he headed towards Champa. There King Shaal and Prince Mahashaal renounced their kingdoms and became monks. Both requested Lord Mahavira to let them go back to Pristha Champa, so that more people could be prepared for sainthood and accept the right faith. Lord Mahavira ordered them to go there with Gautama. While on the way, the purity of their thoughts reached its peak and both Shaal and Mahashaal becomes Kevalis. There, Gaangali, the king, and his parents also accepted monk hood and they soon achieved the state of Keval Gyaan. All of them went to Lord Mahavira; Gautama did ‘Vandana’ and even ordered the others to do so. Lord Mahavira addressed Gautama and said, “Gautama, don’t be impolite, towards Kevali.” Gautama apologized to them but his mind was replete with doubts, “Shall I not be emancipated?”
One day, Gautama wanted to go up to the mountain Ashtaapad. Prior to him, there were three Tapas- Kaudinya, Datta and Shaivaal, along with their five hundred disciples, performing penance. In order to reach the peak of Ashtaapad, Kaudinya, who was fasting on alternate days, could only ascend the beginning of the mountain. Data, performing Belaa (two days of continuous fasting) had gone a little beyond Kaudinya. Shaivaal doing Telaa (three days of continuous fasting) had still not reached the mountain top.
Gautama came across the three Taapas and seeing him, they started talkingto eachother and said, “We have been performing penance for such a long time, yet we have not been able to reach the peak of Ashtaapad. How can Gautama think of reaching there?” Gautama used his divine power (jangha charan labdhi) and with the help of cobwebs, he climbed up the mountain. The Taapas were surprised by seeing Gautama on the Ashtaapad. Then and there all the Taapas decided to become the followers of Gautama. When Gautama descended the mountain, the Taapas stopped him and said, “You are our Acharya and we are your disciples.” At this Gautama replied, “I cannot be your Acharya. Lord Mahavira is our guru.” The surprised Taapas asked Gautama, “Even you have an Acharya!”
Gautama eulogized Lord Mahavira, welcomed all of them into his order, and proceeded towards Lord Mahavira. On the way, all the Taapas attained Keval Gyaan. They all reached Lord Mahavira and Gautama did ‘Vandana’ to him. He then asked the Taapas to do Vandana. Lord Mahavira said, “Gautama! Don’t be impolite towards Kevalis.” At this, Gautama became depressed and impatient. It hurt him to think that the monks who were initiated after him had already achieved Keval Gyaan. He impatiently said, “When will I be able to attain that state?” Lord Mahavira assured him that, one day would come in his life when he would also attain the stage of Kevali and become emancipated. One should be patient also be free from various attachments.
