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In the Mahapurana, the Uttara Purana, a greedy jackal, thinking to eat the strings of a bow, cut them, but in doing so, his throat was cut by the bow's end, and he died in vain. Thus, excessive greed should be abandoned.
When the thief is silent, the wise Jambhukumar, reflecting, will speak a good word.
A foolish traveler, while on his way, found a heap of precious jewels at a crossroads. He could have easily taken them, but for some reason, he left them and went on. Later, desiring to take them, he returned to the crossroads, but could he find the heap of jewels? No, he could not. Similarly, a man who, in the ocean of existence, finds a collection of rare jewels, but does not accept them, will he ever find them again? No, he will not.
Keeping in mind the words spoken by Jambhukumar, the thief will tell another story, one that points out injustice.
He will say, "A jackal, with a piece of meat in his mouth, was going into the water. Desiring to catch a fish that was playing there, he dropped the piece of meat and jumped into the water. The current of the water was strong, and he was swept away and drowned. After his death, the long-lived fish lived happily in the water. Thus, a fool, greedy like the jackal, is sure to perish."
Hearing the thief's words, Jambhukumar, who is not troubled by anything, will say, "A sleepy merchant, intoxicated by the pleasure of sleep, slept in his house, where his precious jewels were kept. Thieves stole them, and he died in sorrow. Similarly, this being is attached to the small pleasures of the senses, and thieves in the form of passion are stealing his jewels of knowledge, vision, and character. When these jewels are stolen, this being is destroyed without a trace."
In response, the thief will say, "A woman, angered by the harsh words of her mother-in-law, went to the foot of a tree, desiring to die. She was adorned with all kinds of ornaments, but she did not know how to hang herself, and her mind was greatly troubled."
At that time, a wicked drummer named Suvarnadārak, desiring to take her ornaments, hid himself under the tree.