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Sumukh Gathapati, upon hearing that an ascetic was visiting, went to his kitchen, overjoyed at the opportunity to give ample food as alms. He was pleased both during and after giving charity.
By giving three-way-pure charity (pure food, pure seeker, pure donor) through three-way-pure means (natural altruism, simplicity, and purity of mind, speech and body) to Sudatt ascetic (in other words, by giving pure food as alms with pious feelings to Suddatt ascetic), Sumukh Gathapati was overwhelmed with joy. Through this pious deed, he considerably reduced the extent of the cycles of rebirth and acquired the bondage of karrnas responsible for a birth as a human being. Five divine things appeared in his house: (1) Shower of gold, (2) shower of flowers of five colours, (3) falling of clothes, (4) sounding of divine drums, and (5) divine pronouncement of Ahodanam' (great charity).
On the crossing of three roads... and so on up to... and streets, people gathered and talked to each other—"Beloved of gods! Blessed is Sumukh Gathapati! His life has become meaningful."
Commentary—while donating, a sentimental and guileless donor experiences joy three times—(1) the first instance of joy comes with the thought, 'I will donate today. I am fortunate to get the golden opportunity of giving charity today.' (2) The second instance is when every pore of his body is filled with joy during the act of giving. (3) And the third instance is when his joy and contentment continue to enhance with the remembrance of the act of donating.
Trividh-shuddhi (three-way-purity)-(1) Deya shuddha-pure food or alms. (2) Data shuddha-pure donor; sincere and guileless donor. (3) Patra shuddha-pure seeker, such as a detached Shraman. When a donation has such three-way-purity or triple purity, it becomes the cause of breaking bonds of karmas and reducing the extent of the cycles of rebirth.
The appearance of five divine things indicates that the charity was so ideal and lofty that gods effected showers of gold (etc.) in order to commend and popularize the act. (1) Divine shower of gold is called vasudhara. (2) Shower of flowers of five colours—black, blue or green, yellow, white and red. As these divine flowers are created through the power of transmutation or transformation, they are lifeless (achit). (3) Chelotkshepchela means clothes and uileshep means throwing. There is a shower of clothes from the sky, (4) Sounding of divine drums. (5) Divine pronouncement of Ahodanam' (great charity). An astonishing charity is called Ahodanam. When a charity attracts gods and forces them to exclaim-Ahodanam' (Great charity!), it is, indeed, a great charity.
Meaning- Then that Sumukh Gathapati enjoyed a long life of hundreds of years. After his death at the destined moment, he descended as a son into the womb of Dharini Devi, the consort of king Adeenashatru of Hastishirsha city. Queen Dharini Devi saw a lion in her dream in her state of partial slumber. Other details have already been stated. This way he is fully enjoying the human pleasures and comforts in his lofty mansions.
Bhagavan added—Gautam! As a consequence of the aforesaid great charity, Subahu Kumar availed and acquired this human opulence.
After listening to the story of the past birth of Subahu Kumar, Gautam Swami asked—"Bhante! Is Subahu Kumar capable of getting initiated by you into ascetic religion by renouncing his household and tonsuring his head?”
Aagam - 11 - Vipak-Shrut
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
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