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PART V STORIES AFTER BHAGAWÄN MAHÄVIR
But how could Savchand accept that? He was indebted to Somchand for his graciousness in honoring the bill. For that grace Savchand was willing to pay any amount to Somchand. Instead of accepting the amount, Somchand was offering another Rs. 100,000 to him! As Savchand repeatedly insisted on repaying the amount of his promissory note, Somchand explained that he was unable to accept the amount because his books did not show any amount due from Savchand. In a way, he was right because the payment to the prince of Rs. 100,000 was debited to his personal account and not to Savchand's account. In Rämäyan, there is an interesting event when neither Räm nor Bharat were willing to accept the throne, and they each asked the other to accept it. A similar dispute arose between Savchand and Somchand. Both of them offered a high payment to the other but neither of them was willing to accept the other's offer. Savchand continued to insist that Somchand accept the amount of his bill, but the latter not only declined but insisted on Savchand accepting another Rs. 100,000. At last, it was decided that they would refer the matter to the mediation of the Jain community. The executive committee of the Amdäväd Jain Sangh got together with both of them. After hearing them patiently, the sangh concluded that since neither of them was ready to accept the amount offered by the other, the amount should be used for a noble cause. Both of them agreed, and after making a substantial addition to the said amount, they decided to spend the money to construct a temple complex on Shatrunjay Hill. Accordingly, construction was undertaken immediately. After completion, the opening ceremony of the complex was performed with great fanfare in 1619 A.D. In commemoration of their names, the complex is still known as Savä-Som Tuk.
Moral: Honesty in life as well as in business always pays off. The generosity of Somchand is praiseworthy. He did not take undue advantage of a person in distress. Instead, he helped an unknown person. Moreover, he did not expect anything in return.
37 - Questions: 1. What happened to Savchand's fleet of ships? Why was it a heavy loss to Savchand? 2. Why did the prince insist Savchand return his money right away? What did Savchand do to pay the prince
back? 3. What happened when the prince took the note to Somchand's firm? 4. Why did Somchand pay the false note? 5. When Savchand's ships returned, he had enough money to pay back the note to Somchand. Why did
Somchand not accept the money? 6. What did they both decide to do with the money neither of them wanted to keep?
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JAIN STORY BOOK
