Atmatatva Vichar Or Philosophy Of Soul

Author(s): Vijaylakshmansuri, Ghanshyam Joshi, Kirtivijay Gani
Publisher: Mohanlal D Mehta

Page 41

18
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
procured for him the birth of a human being. He was born in Gangila in his own semen. How strange are the designs of fate! Father is born as the son of his son and a son is born as a father. A mother formerly is reborn as wife and wife returns as mother.
Maheshvaradatta did not publish this affair, as the same might affect his own reputation. The wise have laid down, "Longevity, wealth, some family vice, Mantra, medicine, amorous indulgence, gift, honours and insults, should be maintained as secrets.”
After a few days Gangila delivered a very handsome son and the whole family rejoiced on the event. The birth of a son is always an event of joy for parents.
The day of Shraddha (Yearly obsequies) approached and Maheshvaradatta remembered his promise to his father. He searched for a young he-buffalo in the market but could not secure a good one in the price expected. Hence he decided to sacrifice the young he-buffalo brought up by him in his own house. The buffalo was sacrificed and its meat was cooked and made ready to be served to the relatives. In the meanwhile, that bitch entered and started licking utensils of food. Maheshvaradatta was very angry at this and he flung a wooden stick at the bitch. The waist of the bitch was broken thereby and she ran away screaming
Still, it was time for the relatives to arrive, Maheshvaradatta was waiting at the door with his young son. He was kissing and fondling his son. In the meanwhile, some learned saint passing by, on seeing this, nodded. Maheshvaradatta saw his nodding. So he approached the saint and with respect inquired, "What is the cause of your nodding ?” The saint replied, "Friend, the matter is not worth your information. Still if you wish, I have no objection in narrating." Maheshvaradatta said, “Then certainly let me
hear."
The saint replied, "Good fellow, To-day you are performing Shraddha of your father; and therefore, you have sacrificed a buffalo. That buffalo is your own father. While dying he was anxious about his cattles and so he was born as a cattle. Maheshvaradatta was very much shocked to hear these words. He said, "Lord, Is it true?" The saint replied, "It is true, but the matter does not end here. The bitch whose waist was broken by you just now with a stick, is your mother. She also at the time of death