Mahavir had to go through a lot of adverse situations in his spiritual quest but he overcame all the adversities with extreme courage.
Once he was touring the tribal area. The locals were half civilised, wild, illiterate and without any manner. They drew pleasure in using foul language, abusing and tormenting others.
When Mahavir went into a village to seek alms the wild tribals laughed at his nakedness. They made fun of him and abused him.
Mahavir kept his cool.
He went on his way ignoring the jeers. Then the tribals set their ferocious dogs at Mahavir. The aggressive dogs bit him, tore his flesh and badly wounded him. The barbaric tribals laughed at the fate of Mahavir. They threw bones at him to hurt his pride and soul because he was a man of non-violence. Some evil tribals spat at bleeding Mahavir.
Mahavir did not retaliate. Nor did he give up. He continued walking on his path leaving behind a trail of blood which dried up into flowers. Even this development did not impress the barbarians.
They ran at Mahavir with their spears and axes to assault him physically. The tribal did wound him but not fatally because the spiritual power of Mahavir was acting like a shield to bear the brunt of the attack. The tribals also realised that some invisible power was protecting their target.
They stopped attacking and looked at Mahavir in awe. They were now in the knowledge that the person under attack was no ordinary human. He was a saintly figure. Mahavir turned back and looked at the tribals with eyes full of love and brotherhood. The tribals unwittingly bowed their heads to Mahavir who blessed them and was on his way again.
