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SEVENTH CHAPTER: ROHINI JNATA: INTRODUCTION
Title-Rohini Naye or Rohini Jnata or the story of Rohini or the story of the enhancer. The aim of a soul is to continue moving on the path of progress. These is done with the help of endeavour. In the absence of the will to work the direction changes to regression. In this story the importance of rational endeavour has been presented with the help of the story of Dhanya Merchant and his four daughters-inlaw.
ज्ञाताधर्मकथांग सूत्र
Gist of the Story-In Rajagriha lived a wealthy merchant named Dhanya. The names of his daughters-in-law were-Ujjhika, Bhogvati, Rakshika, and Rohini respectively.
Dhanya Merchant was worried that after him who will take responsibility of the household and properly look after and support his family. He made a plan to test the wisdom of his daughters-in-law. He invited his friends and relatives and in their presence gave five grains of rice to each daughter-in-law for safe keeping and returning back when desired.
Ujjhika took the grains and went inside. Thinking that as there are heaps of rice lying in the family godown, whenever father asks I will collect five grains and give him back, she threw away those five grains. Bhogvati also had the same thoughts. However, instead of throwing the grains she swallowed them. Rakshika thought that there must be some secret purpose for such instructions. Accordingly she wrapped the grains and put the packet at a safe place.
The fourth daughter-in-law, Rohini, thought, "There must be some secret behind this act of giving rice grains. However, what is the use of just keeping them aside in safety. I should not only protect them but also multiply them." Accordingly she called her maternal people and asked them to sow the grains in a separate plot. As long as she did not ask they were to sow the yield again and again and multiply the produce.
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When five years passed Dhanya Merchant invited his friends and relatives, called the daughters-in-law and asked them to return the rice grains. When the first one informed that she had thrown away the grains Dhanya appointed her as incharge of deprecatory duties like sweeping and cleaning. The second one who had. swallowed the grains was appointed the in-charge of household duties connected with the kitchen. The third one who had kept the grains safe and secured was appointed the in-charge of all the valuables of the household.
When Dhanya asked back the five grains from the fourth one, she wanted numerous carts to return the grains. When Dhanya expressed his surprise Rohini told the whole story of how she had multiplied the grains. Dhanya was pleased and he appointed Rohini as the head of the household.
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JNATA DHARMA KATHANGA SUTRA
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