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KING MEGHARATH
whole body on the scale. The court was stunned that the king was giving his own life for an insignificant bird. But the king considered it his duty to protect the bird to be above everything else. He sat in the scale on the side opposite to the pigeon, closed his eyes, and began meditating.
As soon as the king started meditation, the pigeon and the hawk assumed their original divine forms. Both demi-gods bowed to the king and said, "Oh great king! You are blessed. We are convinced that you are a brave and merciful man."
With these words, they praised and saluted the king again and left. The whole court resounded with the cheers of joy, "Long live King Megharath."
Later on, the soul of King Megharath became the sixteenth Tirthankar, Shänti-Näth.
Key message:
This story teaches us that it is the utmost duty of everyone to protect and help those, who are less fortunate than us. A merciful person is someone who is not only influenced by seeing the misery and suffering of others, but goes a step further and attempts to alleviate the pain. He gives financial aid to those who are poor, and gives food to those who are hungry and needy. A merciful person would not harm others to promote himself but on the contrary, would sacrifice even his own life to save the lives of the others.
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Anything that can feel pain should not be put to pain.
-R. M. Dolgin
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I
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