Book Title: Bliss
Author(s): Amarmuni
Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra

Previous | Next

Page 82
________________ Non-possessiveness and charity 67 blessings. When the king heard about the saint, his hopes were kindled. He was sure the holy man would help him beget a son. The minister was hopeful too. So they decided to visit the monk. The king bowed before him and solicited his blessings. "Oh Master!” he said. "Bless our homes with sons so that we may find joy. Without a child, all the wealth of this world gives us no pleasure. There is darkness in our hearts, our homes seem gloomy and so does this entire kingdom.” The monk said, “If you want a son, then first you must find the father within yourself; for what use is a son to you if you do not possess paternal feelings?" The king was baffled. He exclaimed, “Master! How can one be a father in the absence of a child? Until I don't become a father, how can I feel like one?" Now the holy one asked gently, “Are all your subjects not your children? All through your reign as king, have you not been addressed as a parent by your subjects? Yet, you have not endeared yourself to them as a parent would to his offspring. Therefore, first instill a feeling of affection in your heart. I promise you will find a son who will illumine your name.” He continued, “Make an announcement throughout the kingdom that beggars will be given alms tomorrow." The next day, all the beggars of the town waited to be fed. When the king and his minister arrived to give away alms in all their finery, the monk said, “If you both set aside your royalty and go before them as ordinary mortals, you will truly understand them and their needs." Thus, the charity began. But instead of gold and riches, the beggars were given bits of stale roţi as suggested by the wise man. They were astounded. Such meagre charity after such a big announcement! That too from a king? They could not make sense of it. But knowing that they could not argue with the king, they accepted what was given to them as their fate. As they returned with their meagre alms, the monk awaited Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186