Angulimala - 20

Ahimsaka pleads to Acariya to alter his Guru Dakshina

"I will do anything you command me, but please spare asking me to hurt or kill any being." But his fervent pleas were of no avail.

Since Acariya Disapamukh's intention was to get rid of him completely, he of course insisted vehemently that he would not alter the Guru Dakshina. Instead, Acariya Disapamukh warned Ahimsaka tersely, that should he refuse or fail to fulfil his Guru Dakshina, he would as a consequence not only cause to bring upon himself considerable ill-repute, but also that a terrible curse will befall on him. Ahimsaka faced a great dilemma.

He had to choose between avoiding evil and obeying his acariya to acquire special knowledge and supernatural powers. Acariya Disapamukh whom he revered, respected and honoured as he would his own father, had promised him that once his Guru Dakshina was fulfilled, he would be instructed in special knowledge and sciences that would bestow him great supernatural powers.

He would then be able to absolve himself from all sins and enjoy a blissful life here and now in this life and in future lives as well. In any case, in keeping with entrenched tradition, he had no choice but to fulfil his Guru Dakshina.

His passion for learning and the desire to acquire special knowledge and supernatural powers influenced Ahimsaka's final decision to fulfil his acariya's life-threatening Guru Dakshina. He was therefore compelled to leave Takkasila to meet his Guru Dakshina.

(To be continued)

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