Lesson - 27
Overcome Anger By Forgiveness
The story relates to olden times. There was a hermitage known as ‘Kanakakhala’ in a certain forest. It was the dwelling place of many hermits. The head of that hermitage had a peevish temper. His name was Chandakausika. Once some princes entered his boundary and began to plucked flowers and fruits. He chased them to teach a lesson. He then slipped, fell into a pit and died instantly. After death, he was reborn as a serpent in the same forest. All this happened because of his angry temperament.
Once while rambling, Lord Mahavira happened to arrive in the same forest. Reaching in that part of the forest, he stood in meditation pose. The snake Chandakaushika came there. He witnessed a man standing near his hole. His anger knew no bounds. Poisonous flames of fire began to emanate from his eyes.
Hissing vehemently, the venomous snake proceeded to bite Mahavira but Mahavira did not move an inch from his meditation. At last he bit Mahavir’s foot. Blood stream flowed. The serpent sucked it. It tasted like milk. The poisonous creature thought, what is this miracle? Till date, my attack has always been unfailing, but this person standing here is unhurt. After all I should know who he is! He now recognized Lord Mahavira. His entire ego was shattered to pieces.
Mahavira now terminated his meditational posture and opened his eyes, that were showering nectar. The serpent’s anger was now pacified. He came to know about his previous birth. Mahavira told him: O angry Serpent! You must have seen the futility of your angry temperament which was the cause of so many troubles. You should now wake up from your slumber of ignorance. Have the feeling of equanimity for all the beings. Transform your anger into universal love and amity.
Now Chandakaushika knew the reality. He was deeply moved by the nectar-showering words of Mahavira and gave up his evil temperament for ever after.
Moral: Anger can’t be overcome by anger. An angry child cannot get respect even in his family. Therefore children should try to win over anger through forgiveness.
Questions:- Briefly write the story of Chandakaushika’s in brief.
- What does Mahavira said to the serpent?
- How to win over anger?
- What was the name of hermitage?
- Who was chandakaushika in his prebirth?
