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424
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
envious of anyone's welfare. When he learnt anybody had acquired immense wealth then he strived best to involve him in any offence and get him heavily fined to appease his malice. His relatives and friends advised him not to entertain any malice for others. He was even advised by the monks and saints; but he could not change his nature. Wicked persons hardly change their nature.
Lubdhaka was sweet tongued and he won immense influence in kingdom gradually. The rich and the self-seeking persons tried to seek his pleasure and avoid his displeasure. They offered him presents and bribes.
Lubdhaka was irreligious, unrighteous, immoral and non-fearing about the existence hereafter. He fully exploited this opportunity to enrich himself.
There lived a farmer named Tungabhandra near Lubdhaka's village. He was well-to-do ; with sound social prestige and good physical strength. He offered alms to the poor, fed the monks and satisfied the wishes of the supplicants. He was popular as "Bhagat" (devotee) due to his liberal and religious nature. He commanded great respect of many. Lubdhaka grew very envious of this farmer. He thought : "This farmer twisting tails of bullocks; offering few bits of loaves to the vagrants seems to gain great popularity as a saint. He never comes to me to pay respects. I would set him right”.
The only offence was that he neglected Lubdhaka in paying his respects and he had to pay heavy fine for it. Wickedness of the wicked is boundless. Lubdhaka planned a strategy to trap Tungabhadra in vain. Even second time he could not be trapped. Third time also Lubdhaka did not succeed in manoeuvring to trap Tungabhadra but it is not easy to ruin a meritorious person. In fact it is next to impossible. Most skilled plans are frustrated to ruin the meritorious.
Before Lubdhaka could harm Tungabhadra, he became ill and his illness gradually enhanced. Prominent physicians attended him with all his wealth at his command but incurable is beyond cure. He realised that his death was imminent. He grew very much worried and nervous. Those who have properly observed religious mode of life enjoy perfect peace in their last hours of
