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King asked God about previous birth of horse. God said, “Long ago, one businessman Sāgardutt was residing in Padmini city. His religion was Shaiv. He used to listen to Jain religion's lecture with his friend. One day he heard in lecture that, “The soul, who constructs the statue of Jain Tirthankar, surely achieves salvation.” Listening to this, Shaiv Sāgardutt constructed one gold statue of Jain Tirthankar and enthusiastically installed the same.”
Before this Shaiv Sāgardutt had also constructed one Shivālay (temple of Shiv). And Sāgardutt used to go over there for worship. On the eve of Uttarāyan (the day sun transits from south to north) devotees were pulling pots for worshipping Shiv. Due to this many white ants, which were under the pots, were getting crushed. Looking at this Sāgardutt became emotional. Kind Sāgardutt was removing the white ants to save them. At that time devotees teased him and they purposely killed the white aints. Their priest also turned deaf ear to this matter.
Watching this scene Sāgardutt unenthusiastically worshipped Shiv. In the past he had already constituted animal's life and hence, became horse in this birth. However, construction of statue of Jain Tirthankar and hospitality (Jeevdaya) helped him in understanding religion here also. In future he will achieve salvation.”
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