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158
JAINA STORIES
"Sir, he is an impious fellow, and I had no rest with him in future, please do not leave me with an impious
person"
The minister had then a very sumptuous meal after which he picked up the wand and the pitcher and started . again
Success follows success for a pious man. The minister met a party of pilgrims who were on their way back from Mt Rebata and Mt Satrunjaya He thought of entertaining the party with a grand fcast So he made an invitation to the leader of the group, but the leader declined the invitation For, he could not be sure how this man without anyone and anything worthwhile with him could entertain such a big group The party now lit the oven to cook food But, as desired by the minister, there was a heavy shower and the oven went out and could not be lit again. The minister repeated his invitation The pilgrims stared at each other They knew not if the fellow was mad or jesting at their cost But, since, in any case, there would be no food, they agreed to accept the invitation in order to see the outcome of it The minister then directed them to another place where, he said, all arrangements were complete The pilgrims were surprised at the grand reception and sumptuous food that were awaiting for them there. In fact, they had never seen so many dainties and delicacies in their life Food was served to them in golden dishes and everybody ate to his heart's content.
When the feast was over and the pilgrims sat down to rest, discussion started on the grand arrangement which had been made on such a superhuman scale in such a forlorn place When they asked the minister about it, he told them all about his magic pitcher At this, the leader of the group said,
“Sir, I have in my possession a couple of wonderful -things, a chamara and a royal umbrella They help one