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The two ascetics reincarnated as gods in the Sarvarthasiddha
Viman
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BENE
THE LESSON
This story of Shalibhadra draws attention to following main points
Charity given with pure and pious feelings is highly beneficial. In charity the importance is not of the thing or its value but that of the feeling. Feeling happy after giving charity magnifies its fruits manifold.
*Celestial vehicles. Jain Education International
THE END
⚫ Dhanna and Shalibhadra had no dearth of wealth and grandeur. There was no want of worldly comforts as well. But like birds in a cage, they never felt joy and happiness in mundane pleasures. They did not find freedom of soul in worldly activities. When they renounced everything and got free of attachment and fondness they experienced extreme joy and happiness even in harsh austerities. They had become their own masters.
This proves that bliss and happiness are not in mundane affluence, they are in spiritual experience. Any one desirous of spiritual bliss has to abandon mundane pleasures. He who wants to be his own master can not endure any form of dependence.
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