Nails In Ears Last Calamity

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Nails in Ears - Last Calamity":

This chapter from a Jain storybook details an event from the life of Bhagawan Mahavir, specifically during his thirteenth year of rigorous meditation and penance. After twelve successful years of exemplary living, marked by truth, non-violence, forgiveness, compassion, fearlessness, yoga, and true knowledge, Lord Mahavir faced another significant trial near the village of Shammani.

While in a deep meditative posture, Mahavir was entrusted with the care of a cowherd's oxen. However, the oxen wandered off. When the cowherd returned and couldn't find his oxen, he repeatedly asked Mahavir for their whereabouts. Mahavir, being in deep meditation and oblivious to his surroundings, did not respond.

The cowherd, growing increasingly irritated by the lack of response, accused Mahavir of being deaf and hypocritical. In a fit of anger, he declared he would "fix" Mahavir's ears. He then took long, thorn-like pegs from a nearby shrub and hammered them deeply into Mahavir's ears.

Despite the excruciating pain caused by this act, Mahavir remained unmoved in his meditation, exhibiting no anger or aversion towards his tormentor.

After completing his meditation, Mahavir went to the village of Siddhartha for alms. Siddhartha and his doctor friend offered him food with respect. The doctor, observing Mahavir's face, noticed a divine glow but also a subtle tiredness and a visible inner pain in his eyes. He expressed to Siddhartha that this great sage seemed to be suffering from some inner agony. Siddhartha, concerned, proposed they offer assistance and treatment.

Following Mahavir, the doctor and Siddhartha found him resting at his usual spot. Upon examination, the doctor discovered the thorns lodged in Mahavir's ears. They then procured the necessary instruments and medicines. Using medicated oil and tongs, they attempted to remove the thorns. The removal caused Mahavir such unbearable agony that a cry was involuntarily forced from him. The doctor then dressed the wound with a coagulant.

Throughout this ordeal, Mahavir remained calm and quiet, continuing to stand in deep meditation. The text emphasizes that in every incident of difficulty, Mahavir demonstrated a conquest of his soul and mind over physical pain and suffering. His meditation and penance are presented as purifying his soul and helping him detach from perishable worldly matters to concentrate on the liberation of his immortal soul.