Transformation
Tirthankar Mahavir’s principles of forgiveness and friendship are a precious gift for humanity. They are amazing qualities, which cannot only change one’s attitude, thinking and behaviour but, in the process, transform life itself.
My mind, my footsteps have always followed the path shown by Prabhu Mahavir and I have seen many people who are enemies turn into friends.
One such experience I remember today. We were in Rajgir, staying in a bungalow. At the foot of Vaibhargiri, the construction of the Veerayatan centre had already commenced. Pujya Bai Maharaj and I were living in a thatched hut on that foothill and when there was some work to be done, we would go into Rajgir town. One day, some people requested our presence as they wanted to talk about land issues.
That day both Pujya Bai Maharaj and I went to town. Pujya Bade Maharaj together with Sadhvi Sadhanaji, Sadhvi Yashaji and Sadhvi Chetanaji were already staying in the town’s Dharmashala. Due to the work which had to be done, we could not come to town often and all the sadhvijis were therefore eagerly awaiting our visit that day. The meeting was scheduled for 9pm and we all waited patiently, but no one came.
Pujya Bade Maharaj was counting her rosary, which she did regularly, and Pujya Bai Maharaj was meditating. Sadhvi Sadhanaji and the others were all studying in the light of the lantern and I fell asleep. A little while later, upon hearing loud shouting, I woke up. I quickly realised that we were being attacked by thieves. Fear had spread in all directions. I was in the upstairs room. I came out and saw from upstairs that between 10 to 15 people had forced themselves into the bungalow. They were lifting and overturning all the items in sight. They were threatening and beating Sadhanaji, Yashaji and Chetanaji. They also started beating Pujya Bai Maharaj. They were looking for valuable belongings. I tried in all sorts of ways to make them understand that we did not possess anything of value but whatever items they could see they gathered and took with them. I recognized one of the villains. Seeing me, he seemed ashamed. He knew that I had recognized him, yet I did not say a word to him.
The following morning the police arrived. They said, ‘Mataji, tell us what happened? Who were these people? What did they look like? Describe to us in detail the whole episode. We will catch them.’
I remembered Bhagwan Mahavir’s life; people had presented him with innumerable hardships and spoke to him however they liked. How many difficulties and torments did he have to undergo? I would consider myself fortunate if even one drop of his unlimited compassion permeates my life. With this feeling I said to the superintendent, ‘I have forgiven them. May Bhagwan give them the right knowledge and may they never repeat such terrible actions with anyone. For my part, there are no complaints. I only want this message to reach them.’ The next day, in a public forum I announced, ‘From our side, we have forgiven these people. We are not going to ask the police to pursue them nor are we wanting to punish them. We are practicing the path laid down by Bhagwan Mahavir. We do not want to sow the seeds of enmity which only yield the fruits of hostility and hatred.’ Our message had certainly reached them. Its effect was felt two months later when the man whom I had recognized during the incident came to me on his own and asked to be forgiven. The resolve which was sparked in him to seek forgiveness for his wrongdoing in itself was a life transforming change.
