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THE PLEDGE OF PROTECTION
RAJA Meghrath had taken the sacred vow of Paushadha.* The Paushadha pledge. bound a man to abandon all evil and adopt all good.
One day the Raja was holding a religious discourse with other princes who surrounded him as satellites surround a star of greater magnitude. The subject of the discourse was, "The Purpose of One's Life is to Protect Others."
"Why should the promise of protection to someone in distress be regarded as the highest grade of charity?" asked one of the debaters. "Because a man who promises protection to someone must conquer fear. This fearlessness is not possible unless you rid yourself of all evil. Moreover, to fulfil this Pledge of Protection, a man may have to sacrifice even his life," replied Raja Meghrath.
No sooner had the echoes of his words faded than a dove dropped at his feet, quivering with terror. Its terrified eyes seemed to beseech the Raja for protection, "Save me, My Lord, Save me! None but you can save me! You consider the Pledge of Protection the noblest kind of charity, then won't you extend it to me, My Lord?"
The Raja read the appeal in the dove's eyes and gently smoothing its ruffled feathers, he said, "Poor
* Spiritual retreat for twenty-four hours.
IIO
