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PART IV STORIES DURING BHAGAWAN MAHAVIR
She thought that her husband was joking. However, Dhannä said, "It is too late now. I am determined to become a monk. If you all want to join me, you are welcome." Seeing Dhanna's determination, Subhadra and his seven wives decided to become nuns. Dhannä then went to his brother-in-law's palace and challenged him, "Hey Shalibhadra! If you really want to leave your family and possessions, then what are you waiting for? Join me." Shalibhadra heard him and accepted the challenge. He told his wives and other family members, "I am leaving you all today." He went down to join his brother-in-law. His wives joined him too. All of them went to Lord Mahävir, accepted dikshä, and became monks and nuns. After observing severe penances as monks, Dhannä and Shalibhadra were born as heavenly beings. From there, they would be born again as human beings and attain liberation.
Moral: Selfless service always pays off. Neighbors helping neighbors reflects a caring society. The virtue of a charitable act in the life of a little boy was rewarded multiple times in the life of Shalibhadra. As a result, he was able to leave everything easily. Good deeds always leave an imprint on the soul. Doing good deeds and practicing penance ultimately leads to the liberation of the soul
27 - Questions: 1. What happened when the small boy was about to eat the kheer that he had really wanted? 2. Where was the boy born in his next life? What was his life like? 3. Why were the merchants reluctant to go to Bhadra Shethäni's house? 4. What did Bhadra Shethäni do when the merchants had only sixteen shawls? 5. What happened when his mother called Shalibhadra to come down and greet and honor the King, his master?
Why was he upset? What did he decide to do? 6. When Subhadra was upset and told her husband the reason, what did Dhannä do and say? 7. What was the result of Dhannä challenging Shälibhadra?
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