34. EARS PLUGGED WITH PEGS AND THEIR REMOVAL BY PINCERS

Once Bhagavan Mahavira was standing motionless, absorbed in deep meditation, on the outskirts of the village Chhammani. A cowherd left his oxen near him and asked him to keep an eye on them. When he returned, he did not find the cattle and so he inquired about the missing cattle. When he received no reply no reply to his persistent queries, he became furious and plugged hard grass pegs in the ears of Bhagavan Mahavira. The saint bore all the pain patiently. From there, Bhagavan Mahavira went to Pava. In the course of his begging round, he entered the house of a rich merchant named Siddhartha, Who was then sitting in the company of an eminent physician named Kharaka. The physician immediately realized from the facial expression of Bhagavan Mahavira that he was suffering from some acute pain. He was persuaded with great difficulty to undergo the operation. He was made to sit in a basin filled with oil, given a message and then the pegs were removed by means of pincers. The pain was so excruciating that even Bhagavan Mahavira cried out in agony.