A Moral Story:

This happened about 2500 years ago. Mahaveer had renounced worldly riches and pleasures, and had started on the path of spiritualism. He had no possessions except his physical being and his conscience. He took proper care of his body because it gave him the energy necessary for spiritual progress. He derived happiness from his conscience. It also provided him with inspiration to advance toward his ultimate goal. Bhagwaan Mahaveer used to travel from place to place, and at night he performed meditation in some solitary place.

Those days a learned foreteller named Pushya, was well-known in the surrounding locale. He was an expert at telling the future of a person by studying his/her physical features. People used to come from far and wide to ask the foreteller about their future. Everybody was impressed by his scholarship.

One day, by chance, while walking along the banks of the Ganges, Pushya observed some unique footprints. When he examined them carefully, he was surprised. He determined that the footprints belonged to a universal victor (CHAKRAVARTI). He said to himself, "How can it be possible? A universal victor does not travel by himself." But he was confident that those footprints were made by a universal victor.

Pushya sat there for a while, engrossed in his thoughts. Then he decided to follow the footprints. Soon he came upon a lonely soul immersed in deep meditation. He looked at feet of the great soul and came to the conclusion that the footprints were made by him. He examined the great personality from head to toe.

"This is a great surprise," Pushya said to himself. He continued, "All the physical features of this personality manifest that he is a universal victor. However, his demeanor and conduct indicate that he is just a normal human being."

Poor Pushya was perplexed. His expertise suggested one thing while his eyes were seeing at something else. He was squabbling with himself.

Eventually, Bhagwaan Mahaveer concluded his meditation and opened his eyes. Pushya asked respectfully, "O Revered One! Why have you secluded yourself?"

Bhagwaan Mahaveer looked at Pushya and said, "Man is born alone in this world and departs alone. No one really accompanies any other individual at all times."

That did not quench Pushya's dilemma. He was curious to know why a universal victor was living by himself. He said to Mahaveer, "Bhagwaan, you are speaking about knowledge of reality, while I am curious to know about a practical matter."

Bhagwaan Mahaveer said, "I am not alone. My whole family is with me."

Pushya wondered, "Your whole family? Where?"

Mahaveer replied, "Meditation free from incertitude, which checks karmic bondage, is my father, nonviolence is my mother, purity of body and mind is my brother, non-attachment (disinterest) is my sister, peace is my consort, discernment is my son, forgiveness is my daughter, truth is my friend, and subsidence is my shelter. See, I am not lonely."

That did not resolve Pushya's bewilderment. He said, "Bhagwaan, I am a foreteller. I notice that your physical features signify that you are a universal victor. My knowledge has never failed me, but in your case, I stand defeated."

Bhagwaan Mahaveer said, "Well tell me, who is a universal victor?"

Pushya said, "One who has a victory wheel (CHAKRA) in front of him."

"And?"

"Who has a large army in his protection."

"And?"

"Who possesses the seed of religion, which when sown in the morning, grows into a flourishing plant by sunset."

Bhagwaan Mahaveer said, "The wheel of religion is in front of me. My austere conduct provides safeguards for all living beings. My aspiration is the seed of religion, which comes to fruition the moment it is sown."

The enigma in Pushya's mind was cleared up. Pushya was exhilarated to realize that he who conquers his inner enemies is a genuine universal victor (JIN).

. . . in this poison tree of SAMSAAR (worldly existence) are two fruits of incomparable value. They are the enjoyment of great books and the company of good souls. If we want to absorb the fruits of great literature, we must read them not as we do cricket stories but read them with concentration.

- Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

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