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F04 Stories during Bhagawän Mahävir's Life
14 - Abhaykumar and Thief Rohineya
14- Abhaykumar and Thief Rohineya
During the time of Lord Mahävir, there was a burglar named Lohkhur. He lived in a remote cave in the Vaibhärgiri hill near the city of Räjgrihi. He was very clever in his profession and never left any traces of his burglary. He and his wife, Rohini, had a son named Rohineya. As Rohineya grew up, he learned his father's profession and eventually became an expert burglar. He even surpassed his father in intelligence and smartness. It was almost impossible to recognize him when he was in disguise. If someone pursued him, he could outrun him or her. He robbed the rich and hid the treasures in the most unexpected and inaccessible places. He extended help to the poor from the wealth that he accumulated. Many of them felt grateful and were pleased with him. Therefore, they were not willing to help government officials track him down.
Lohkhur was now very old and could see that his life was coming to an end. When he was on his deathbed, he called Rohineya and said that he was very happy with the expertise that he had shown in committing burglary. In order to remain successful, he advised his son never to listen to the sermons of Lord Mahävir because his teachings were not conducive to their profession. Rohineya promised his father he would abide by his advice.
After Lohkhur died, Rohineya expanded his burglary so much that it became almost impossible for rich families to ensure the safety of their property when they went out. They were constantly afraid that Rohineya would go to their home during their absence and take their jewelry and other valuables. Some people went to King Shrenik and requested him to take action to protect them from Rohineya's burglaries since police officers had failed to do anything about the matter. The king therefore asked his most intelligent chief minister, Abhaykumär, to take charge of arresting Rohineya.
Once, while Rohineya was secretly on his way to Räjgrihi, he had to pass by the side of the Lord Mahävir's assembly hall. He remembered his father's advice of never listening to Lord Mahävir's sermon. He put his hands over his ears. Unfortunately, at that moment he stepped on a sharp thorn that went deep into his foot. He had to take his hands off his ears in order to take out the thorn. During this time, he heard the following words:
• "Human life is the best of all lives. It is possible to attain liberation only as a human.
• Every human being can attain salvation irrespective of caste, creed, or color.
• By virtuous deeds one can gain a life in heaven where all sorts of pleasures and happiness exists.
When heavenly beings walk their feet do not touch the ground.
⚫ Their bodies are without shadow, their eyes remain steady, and their garlands do not wither.
⚫ However, the life of a heavenly being does not lead to ultimate liberation,
⚫ which provides eternal bliss and happiness. Therefore, heavenly beings crave a human life."
By that time Rohineya had removed the thorn from his foot. He then covered his ears again with his hands and proceeded towards the city.
In the city, Abhaykumar had secretly posted trained soldiers in disguise at the gates and at all important locations. He himself remained watchful. When Rohineya entered the city, a trained soldier recognized him even though he was in the disguise of a farmer. The soldier sent a message to Abhaykumar that an unidentified person had entered the city. Abhaykumär became very alert. As Rohineya passed by, Abhaykumär glanced at him from a secret place. He recognized the burglar even in disguise and instructed his men to surround him. Since Rohineya was very smart, he quickly recognized the danger. He ran towards the city wall. Unfortunately for him, there were soldiers near the wall. He was easily apprehended and was put in jail.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 365 of 398
