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The Fruit of Giving to the Deserving - Shalibhadra
Yoga Shastra, Third Light, Verse 88
। 259। Behold, the cowherd named Sangama, by the influence of the Muni-daan, obtained miraculous wealth. || 88 ||
Meaning
Explanation: - The word 'Behold' is used here to bring the noble ones in front of the donation. Sangama, the cowherd, by the influence of giving to the Muni, obtained miraculous wealth that amazed everyone. Although Sangama is traditionally destined for liberation, the mention of liberation is not made here because the relevant fruit is being described. Sangama's character is known from the tradition of the sect; it is as follows:
Sangama, the giver of donations to the deserving with faith:
In the Magadha country, in the city of Rajgriha, which was like the ancestral home of Lakshmi, shining with various jewels, in those days, the reign of Emperor Shrenik was accepted by various kings, like the reign of Indra. In the Rajgriha block, in the village of Shali, there lived a wealthy woman named Dhanya, with a small family. Due to misfortune and the separation from her loved ones, she came to Rajgriha with her only son, Sangama. While living in Rajgriha, Sangama earned his living by grazing the calves of some citizens. 'This is the appropriate and sattvic livelihood for a poor child.' Dhanya earned some money by doing small household chores for the wealthy people around. Thus, both mother and son were living happily. Once, on the day of a festival, seeing kheer being made in everyone's house, the boy Sangama also asked his mother for kheer. The mother said - Son! We are very poor, where can we get kheer from? But the child did not understand this and started to fuss about eating kheer. Remembering her old wealth and the duty of a mother towards her son, Dhanya started sobbing loudly. Hearing her heart-wrenching, sorrowful cry, the women from the wealthy houses nearby rushed over and asked her the reason for crying and being so sad. At first, she did not tell clearly due to shyness, but later, at the insistence of the noble women, Dhanya told her story and her plight in a choked voice. So that her self-respect was not hurt, the noble women together respectfully gave her milk, rice, sugar, etc., all the ingredients for making kheer. Dhanya happily made kheer and served it in a plate for Sangama and told him to eat it after it cooled down, and she went out for some work. The boy was cooling the kheer in the plate, at that time, a Mahamauni, who was a Masik (one who observed a fast for a month), came to take alms for his parana, like a boat in the ocean of the world, to cross it. Seeing the Muni, the boy Sangama was greatly impressed. He thought - Oh! This is a conscious Chintamani jewel, or a moving Kalpavriksha, or a Kamdhenu devoid of animal instincts? It is by my good fortune that this supreme Muni has arrived today! Otherwise, how could such a noble soul come to the house of a poor person like me? It is only due to the fruit of some strong punya of mine that this confluence of mind, attitude, and worthy person has happened today? Thinking thus intensely, he quickly picked up the plate of kheer and poured all of it into the Muni's bowl. The Muni kept saying, 'Enough, enough', but the boy, with strong emotion, gave all the kheer, which he had obtained with great difficulty, to the ascetic Muni. The Mahakarunasheel Muni also accepted it in his alms bowl with a sense of gratitude and left after eating. Dhanya, after finishing the necessary work in the houses around, returned home and saw that the plate was empty, so she served more kheer in the plate, which Sangama quickly ate. Dhanya did not know that Sangama had given that kheer to the Muni. After eating the hot kheer, Sangama got indigestion and severe stomach pain at night, and as he remembered giving the donation to the Muni, his body left him. By the influence of the Muni-daan, Sangama's soul entered the womb of Bhadra, the wife of Seth Gobhadra, in the city of Rajgriha. Bhadra Sethani saw a field full of lush green paddy (grain) and ripe vines in her dream. She told her husband about the dream. When the Seth heard it, he was overjoyed and said - My dear! This auspicious dream is an indication of you having a son. After a few days, Bhadra Sethani gave birth to a son. 'May I perform acts of charity and righteousness many times.' The wise Gobhadra Seth also fulfilled his wish with joy. When the time was right, Bhadra, with her radiance, developed the face of a mother, just like that
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