$JES 202 Jain Story Book Level 2 Book

SR No.: 000121
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 160
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Jaina_Education, 0_Jaina_education, & JAINA Books
File Size: 22 MB

Page 114

PART IV STORIES DURING BHAGAWAN MAHÄVIR
"Human life is the best of all lives. It is possible to attain liberation only as a human. Every human being can attain salvation irrespective of caste, creed, or color. By virtuous deeds one can gain a life in heaven where all sorts of pleasures and happiness exist."
"When heavenly beings walk, their feet do not touch the ground. Their bodies are without shadow, their eyes remain steady, and their garlands do not wither. However, the life of a heavenly being does not lead to ultimate liberation, which provides eternal bliss and happiness. Therefore, heavenly beings crave a human life."
By that time Rohineya had removed the thorn from his foot. He then covered his ears again with his hands and proceeded towards the city.
In the city, Abhaykumar had secretly posted trained soldiers in disguise at the gates and at all important locations. He himself remained watchful. When Rohineya entered the city, a trained soldier recognized him even though he was in the disguise of a farmer. The soldier sent a message to Abhaykumar that an unidentified person had entered the city. Abhaykumär became very alert. As Rohineya passed by, Abhaykumär glanced at him from a secret place. He recognized the burglar even in disguise and instructed his men to surround him. Since Rohineya was very smart, he quickly recognized the danger. He ran towards the city wall. Unfortunately for him, there were soldiers near the wall. He was easily apprehended and put in jail.
The next day he was presented in the royal court. As Rohineya was in disguise, it was hard to identify him as the burglar. Abhaykumar was sure, but how could the accused be punished without proof of his identity? When the King asked him about his identity, Rohineya replied that he was a farmer named Durgächandra who belonged to the Shäligräm village. He had come to Räjgrihi to visit the capital and was returning home when the watchmen apprehended him. Rohineya had made arrangements for that assumed identity with the residents of the village. When inquiries were made in that village, the people confirmed what Rohineya had stated in court.
Abhaykumar had to devise a plan for getting a confession from Rohineya regarding the burglaries. He came to know that Rohineya was fond of drinks. He therefore arranged to serve an excessive amount of wine to the thief. The excessive wine made him unconscious. While unconscious, Rohineya was cleaned, dressed in extravagantly perfumed royal garments, and adorned with valuable jewelry. He was then placed on a luxurious velvet bed of sandalwood on the top floor of a palatial building. As Rohineya regained his consciousness, he saw himself in heavenly surroundings. There was a breathtaking view all around. The walls, ceiling, and floor were crystalline. Beautiful maidens were waving scented air with diamond studded fans, soft serene music was heard in the background, fairylike dancers were dancing in tune with the music, and divine musicians were getting ready for a musical concert.
Rohineya could not make out where he was. He asked one of the girls where he was and why they were all serving him so well. The girl replied that he was their new King in heaven. He had attained all the divine comforts, which now belonged to him. He could live like Indra, the King of heaven, and enjoy life with heavenly damsels.
"Could this be true for a burglar like me?" he asked himself. However, he then remembered that he was helpful to the poor and needy, and he was sure that god had been just. "Or could this be the plan of Abhaykumär?" he thought again. It was hard for him to decide what the truth really was. He therefore thought it was best to wait and see. After a while, a luxuriously clad person entered with a golden staff and a book in his hand, "Is your new lord awake?" he asked one of the damsels. The girl replied that their new lord had just woken up and that they were getting ready to celebrate his arrival in heaven by presenting the divine concert. "Let me make sure that all the preparations pertaining to his arrival have been completed before you start the concert, and let me also get some information from him that the heavenly realm needs to know." As he was saying this, he came to Rohineya. Opening his book, he asked Rohineya to narrate his deeds from his previous life prior to enjoying the amenities of heaven.
114
JAIN STORY BOOK