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[Shali-Bhadra's Renunciation and Consecration
certain business. That was why, when he intended to trade with reference to Paraloka (Next world ), he laid out his whole capital for that business. He reaped as much profit from this business as he wanted. It is on account of this ideal sacrifice of Shali Bhadra that his name is taken with that of Lord Mahavira and shall be taken in the same way in future also. Now, we would tell the reader as to how Shali Bhadra became the master of so much wealth, how he renounced it in a moment, and what kind of Karmas he had in previous lives.
Long ago, there was a village named Shali near Raja Griha. A woman named Dhanya had come to live there during her bad days. She seemed to belong to a rich family, but now her only little son was all the wealth that she had. One of the special features of Nature's garden is that the tree which was in its full bloom yesterday appears to be decaying today; and the tree which was quite naked yesterday puts on its best green robes today. This strange phenomenon is to he seen everywhere. However, the name of her son was Sangama. When he grew up he began to graze the cattle of the villagers. Her affectionate heart trembled when she saw her little son running after the cattle in the jungle, but seeing no other source of livelihood she had to suffer him to do all this unbecoming business. One day, the child saw that sweet-meats were being prepared in the houses of his friends and acquaintances. When he enquired about it, he was told that it was a festival day. Sangama felt a keen desire for tasting soup and other sweet-meats. He came to his mother with tears in his eyes; and when she asked him the reason of his weeping, he said that he wanted to eat
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