Once Lord Mahavir was standing motionless, absorbed in meditation. Indradev,witnessing this divine strength, gave homage and praise to Him.
From celestial world, a deity named Sangamdev, present in Indradev’s assembly became jealous of Lord Mahavir.
Sangamdev: A mere mortal cannot have such superhuman abilities that can withstand strength from celestial gods. I'll shake Mahavir’s meditation.
Sangamdev set out from the celestial world towards Earth in order to test Lord Mahavir. He started his torturous tactics to disturb the Lord.
He blew so much sand such that it filled up the Lord’s mouth and nose making it difficult to breathe.
He sent biting snakes and stinging scorpions on the Lord’s body.
He took the form of an elephant and threw the Lord up into the air with his trunk.
He became a fire-breathing monster and tried to burn the Lord’s body to ashes.
He lit a fire between the Lord’s legs, on which he cooked sweet rice with milk.
By taking the forms of a lion and a cheetah, he tried to rip apart the Lord.
Sangamdev released a wheel weighing a thousand tons onto the Lord’s head. It was powerful enough to push the Lord into the ground.
Even after torturing Lord Mahavir in so many different ways, Sangamdev did not succeed in disturbing the Lord's meditation.
Lord Mahavir had been fasting for days. When the Lord would go to the village for alms, Sangamdev would make sure that only the stale food was given.
Months went by without any food & The Lord did not have the slightest negative feelings towards anyone nor did he feel the slightest pain.
After afflicting torture on the Lord for six months,Sangamdev finally accepted defeat and fell at Lord Mahavir’s feet.
Sangamdev: You are truly Mahavir. Your courage and meditation is unmatched and unwavering. Please forgive me.
Lord Mahavir: I never saw you at fault. It's natural and spontaneous forgiveness from me.
Friends, the Lord was so amazingly powerful! We worship such a Tirthankar Lord who stood steady in the face of such terrible adversities.
