Page Text
________________
tried to steal their hearts away by giving them feasts, processions, and charity, but to no avail.
One night he set out incognito to hear what the people were saying about him. When he heard them praise Koshalraj for his noble example of forgiveness, love, and compassion, he became infuriated. He decided to do away with his rival once and for all. He announced that he would reward anyone who captured Koshalraj dead or alive with a thousand pieces of gold.
One day a poor man happened to enter the forest where Koshalraj and his wife were leading a meager but contented life. He told him of his great need for money to pay for his daughter's wedding. He was in search of Koshalraj because he had heard of his generosity and thought he might be able to help him. He was unaware both of the reward upon Koshalraj's head and of the identity of the person with whom he was speaking, Koshalraj himself. But Koshalraj had heard of the reward from a stranger who had passed through the forest earlier. It occurred to him that if he himself took the poor man to Kashiraj, he could present the reward on his head to the poor man and lift him from his burden.
At this point, Gurudev's words were penetrating, “The life of one who lives with love and compassion forever in his heart is like a rain cloud. The cloud bursts bringing joy and life to the creation. Those who are born to be immortal know full well that the soul is more valuable than any of their worldly possessions, and that to lift the soul to the highest level, no renunciation is too great."
Thus it was that Koshalraj parted from his wife, consoling her tenderly, and went into the town, taking the poor man with him. Bowing low before the envious king, he turned himself in. The whole court, including the king, were amazed and speechless. The poor man, who had just discovered who his unknown guide was, fell on his knees sobbing. He no longer wanted” the money. It was at too high a cost.
The story continued. “Koshalraj spoke in a gentle but clear voice, ‘I will die sooner or later like the rest of mankind. If by my death I can benefit someone, I do not mind dying a few years earlier.' His simplicity, his magnanimity touched every
217
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 001808 |
| Book Title | Chitrabhanu Man with Vision |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Clare Rosenfield |
| Publisher | Jain Meditation International Centre New York |
| Publication Year | |
| Total Pages | 326 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English & Biography |
| File Size | 24 MB |