________________
Bhaxa wan Mahavir )
| 501
yet be able to attain the highest knowledge and experince. 'THE TWO LAYMEN: SHANKHAJI AND
POKHALIJI. Once Lord Mahavira came to Shravasti. The news of his arrival spread in the city. Shankhaji, Pokhaliji and other Shravakas came to see him and listened to bis instruc. tions. While they were returning home, Shankhaji and Pokhaliji thought of accepting the vow of Paushadha after taking their meals. After they had arrived at this decision, Pokhaliji made all arrangements for food; but the idea of Shankhaji changed as he separated from Pokhaliji. He felt that as it was' Pakshiha' ( the last day of fortnight ) that day he should observe Paushadha ( a vow of fasting ) after foregoing the four kinds of food. As soon as this idea canie to his mind, he went home, informed his wife of it, and retired to his Paushadha Shala for observing the vow of fast there. Pokhali had prepared food by now; the Shravakas had come; but Shankhaji was not there, A search for him proved fruitless. At last, Pokhaliji requested his guests to wait for some time more. He told them that Shankhaji had not come that he himself was going to call him. Saying this, Pokhaliji hurried towards the house of Shankhaji but could not find him there. Shankhaji's wife came forward, received him very respectfully and askcd him the cause of his breathing so hard and searching for her husband. Pokhaliji told her the object of his coming there'on haste, and knowing from her that Shankhaji was in Paushadha shala, he went straight to it. On reaching there, he found Shankhaji had absorved himself in deep meditation, He told him that the food was ready and the Shravakas had all
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
