________________
PART VII MORAL STORIES
41 - Kamalsen
Shripat Sheth and his wife Sundari once visited Shri Shilandhar Acharya and told him that they both observed daily Vows such as reciting Namaskar Mangal Sutra, performed Navkärshi (to eat 48 minutes after sunrise), and sämäyik. However, their son, Kamalsen, did not observe any vows. Kamalsen's parents were unhappy and anxious about their son's lack of devotion and spirituality. They requested that the monk give some advice to their son so that he would change for the better and be happy in this life as well as the next. The monk willingly obliged. After reaching home, the merchant said to his son, "Well, my son, a great teacher is visiting our town. He is a very learned man, and his lectures are worth listening to." The next day, they accompanied their son to the lecture. After paying their respect to the Acharya, they sat down to listen. The Acharya talked about many things, including heaven, hell, misery, and keval-jnän. After the discourse, the parents asked Kamalsen what he felt about the lecture. Kamalsen replied, "I was too busy watching the movements of the Acharya's neck area." His parents were greatly dismayed and returned home disappointed.
Kamalsen watching the potter hide the
treasure
Soon after, another great sage, Achärya Gunasägar suri, visited the town, and Kamalsen and his parents went to visit him. The Acharya told the audience various stories of bravery, humor, sorrow, and family relations with religious messages because such stories attract common people. The boy liked those stories, so every day he attended the Acharya's sermons and listened with interest. After a few days, the Acharya was preparing to leave town. Kamalsen
154
JAIN STORY BOOK
