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The path to spiritual enhancement
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limits set upon him. All his needs and wants are taken care of. It is not as if the old Śreņika is tight-fisted and gives nothing to his son. The empire is under the control of the son; Śreņika is just the namesake ruler and sits upon the throne for an hour or two everyday.
But Kūņika is caught in the web of desires. Restless for the throne, his thoughts turn ugly, "Oh! What do I do with Father? He neither embraces renunciation nor death! He has heard the teachings of the Tīrthankaras long enough, but is yet not ready to relinquish the throne. If he does not renounce voluntarily, should he be made to do so? If death does not come to him, should he not be made to die?"
Thus, enslaved by his desires, Kūņika plots against his father and locks him in the dungeons. What other choice exists for one so completely blinded by greed? Violence is born from possessiveness.
The great ruler of Magadha is thus counting the last days of his life in prison. Gone are those days when he used to give away diamonds and pearls on the streets enroute the abode of Lord Mahāvīra where he went to hear discourses. Today, that great ruler is a mere prisoner and his days are meaningless.
Meanwhile the son has seated himself on the throne. But what is the result of all this? Have his desires been fulfilled? Has he found contentment? The answer is - No. Unrestrained desires never reach their end. The splendour of this world acts like fuel to the fire of avarice. It only kindles the flame, never putting it out. So the religious scholars proclaim:
The more you get, the more you want; desire increases with every gain. 3
As one achieves more wealth and fame, avarice increases. Profit does not restrain greed, it only enhances it. Why is this so? The scriptures answer this question thus:
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jahā lāho tahā loho, lāhā loho pavaddhai. - Uttaradhyayana Sūtra 8.17
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