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KING Hans
orders to arrest King Hans and kill him. King Hans thought for a while and said,
hiding in the bushes. They were talking about robbing some monks and shrävaks who were traveling through the forest. Having heard this, the king was concerned about the safety of the monks. While he was thinking about what he could do some police officers approached him and asked if he had seen any suspicious people who looked like thieves.
The king was again in a dilemma of whether to tell the truth or to lie. He was concerned that someone would be hurt: if he told the police the truth, the thieves would be harmed; and if he did not then the monks would be harmed. He thought, "If by telling the truth someone is going to get harmed or be killed then telling that truth is not good. Truth is supposed to protect and not harm anyone.” He said, “My friends, you are asked to guard the monks. Why not go and look after those monks and worry about the thieves if they confront the monks.” The police officers felt better and left to join the monks.
"I am King Hans. Carry out your duty as commanded by your king." After that, he closed his eyes and stood in meditation. All at once a Deva (angel god) appeared and said, “Oh, king! I am overwhelmed by your truthfulness and compassion. I have captured King Arjun as prisoner and I have given control of your kingdom back to your ministers. Today is a great day for worship and the temple is too far from here. There is no way you would be able to reach the temple in time. My chariot is at your service. Please let me take you there."
The thieves who were hiding in the bush heard all this. They were amazed at the mercy shown by this stranger. They came out, thanked the king for saving their lives, and told him that they were at his service. The king advised the thieves, "My dear friends, give up harassing people and this fugitive life and be good citizens." The thieves promised that they would not harm and rob anybody anymore and would give up stealing. Soon thereafter a group of soldiers came and asked him if he had seen King Hans. The king asked, “What do you want from King Hans?” They explained that they were the trusted men of King Arjun and they had
King Hans was surprised by the miraculous turn of the events. In the company of the Devas he reached the summit of Ratnasringa in time to worship. The angel god then escorted him to his kingdom. King Hans pardoned King Arjun and released his soldiers immediately. Then King Hans, once again, ruled the city of Räjpur and the people were happy under the rule of their benevolent king.
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THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
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