________________
After hearing Dharmalabh, the goldsmith greeted him. He was moulding 108 golden barelys. He took the muni in kitchen for food. Meanwhile, a heron bird picked up the golden barelys which was noticed by the muni. The bird sat on heights after picking up them. The muni returned after taking food. When the goldsmith returned to his work place, he didn't see the golden barelys and doubted that the muni must have stolen them. He asked the muni but he didn't answer due to compassion for the bird, orelse the Goldsmith would have taken those barely even by killing it. The Goldsmith grew furious and tied a wet leather strap on the muni's head and kept him in sunlight. Due to scorching heat, the leather contracted and pulled out his veins and eyes, breaking the bones. The Muni was in equilibrium without any anger and fear and attained salvation gaining omniscience. Being afraid by the falling of a bundle of wood, the heron excreted to remove
the barely. Realizing the fact, the Goldsmith deeply regretted. He accepted asceticism before Lord Mahavir and attained salvation by confessing.
If he had confessed for seeing the faults of his Guru, he wouldn't have to take birth in a lower caste nor would face such
life threatening circumstances. The goldsmith became angry & strapped wet leather on the muni's head and
forced him to stay in sunlight.
52...Confession: The Path to Self-liberation Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
