Jain Stories 02

SR No.: 011053
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahendramuni, K C Lalwani
Publisher: A B Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Samaj
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 205
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 78

DHANASARA
A merchant named Dhanasara used to lived in Mathura. He was the owner of a vast fortune of 620 million gold coins, but he was extremely niggardly aod would not even give as much as a copper or a nickel He was well-known for his wealth as well as niggardliness.
Money is acquired both by honest and dishonest means. Money honestly earned does not become a source of trouble, but not so money earned through unfair means. Besides, the latter does not last as much as money honestly earned. One day, Dhanasara went to take stock of the treasure kept underground, but to his great shock, he found it all changed into charcoal with reptiles crawling through them. As he was brooding over this great loss, there came the news of the loss of a ship loaded with cargo on the high seas. And then followed a third shock about a highway robbery in which a convoy of his carrying precious merchandise had been looted These made him feel so helpless and wretched that he saw darkness all around Holding his forehead between his palms, he was bewailing for his ill-luck
When the unfavourable karma is up, whatever a man may do will inevitably go against him. Dhanasara borrowed one million gold coins from a relation and went abroad to do business But as ill-luck would have it, there was a ship-wreck and his entire gold fell into the sea He could save himself with difficulty by catching a filoating log and swimming ashore.
He spent a day on the sea shore and on the next day be moved to a nearby park There he saw a muni under the shade of a mango tree giving sermon to assembled people. Dhanasara also sat down to listen When the sermon was over, the merchant came near the muni, paid him homage and obeisance and said,