THE WAY TO KNOWLEDGEBAHUBALI became an ascetic on the battlefield, but there was still a tinge of pride in him. He thought that he could be omniscient and then go to see his father, Adinatha, so that he would not have to kneel before his brothers who, though younger in years, had donned the ascetic’s garb before him.
To attain omiscience, he undertook arduouos penance. He sat uperturbed in the scorching heat, the bitting cold and the pouring rain. He felt nothing, knew nothing, so lost was he in his meditation.
But he failed to acquire what he had so ardently longed for-the spark of divine knowledge-for his panance was marred by his overweening pride.
Bhagwan Adinatha, however, took pity on this erring but steadfast devotee and he sent Bahubali’s two saintly sisters to point out to him, the futility of his penance and meditation. They-set out on their mission and called out to him “Brother! Brother ! Climb down from the elephant if you wish to acquire omniscience of divine knowledge; as when the light of knowledge is concealed by the screen of vanity, man turns blind.
Bahubali realised in a flash why he had striven in vain so far. He subdued his pride and was ready to pay respect to his younger brothers. His soul was kindled with light. Truly, the way to knowledge is paved with humility.
THE INNER LIGHT | NOT BY PRAYER ALONE | FIRE AND WATER | COME IN-COME IN | THE WORLD : A MIRROR ! | NOT A GRAVEYARD | THE BRUTE IN MAN | THE WEIGHT OF A FLOWER | VISION | TRUST BEGENTS TRUST | INSATIABLE | SEEING THE INVISIBLE | DIALOGUE | THE TOUCHSTONE OF FRIENDSHIP | ELEGANCE OF SPEECH | CONSTRUCTION-NOT DESTRUCTION | NOT IN THE EYE-IN THE HEART | CONTENTMENT | VOICE AND VISION |THE MAGNETISM OF LOVE |THE SMILE OF GOODWILL| BEHAVIOUR |THE PRICE OF ACQUISITION | THE BETTER-HALF| LIGHT AND DARKNESS| THE WAY TO KNOWLEDGE