________________
that Guiding-Star, I started pacing along the deserted road. Ah! See the miracle! A hundred roses sprang up all over the desolate path fraught with thorns! My consciousness bloomed forth with the aroma of those roses in an atmosphere surcharged with compassion!"
A transformation had occurred during the painful moments of his imprisonment. Through suffering, understanding had flooded his consciousness and had enabled his confused emotions to become canalized into a calm and steady stream of compassion. At that point, his tension had dropped, his sense of alienation evaporated, and he felt centered enough to transcend the physical agony he was forced to endure. Truly he became his own best friend.
With this new sense of self-appreciation and fearlessness, he ultimately convinced the British soldiers to let him go. The day before his release, he heard a heart-penetrating cry coming from the depths of someone's pain. He felt as if his own heart had been stabbed. Then he heard the person weeping and crying.
Who could that be crying in such desperation? It is only five in the morning. Let me find out. He called out to a guard. "Who is that crying so painfully?”
“He will be hanged today," the guard responded. “At ten o'clock he is going to be hanged.”
Incredulous, Rup asked, “But why? What has he done?”
“In his craziness he killed his wife. Now his time has come. Since yesterday he was told, 'Tomorrow will be your day. What wish do you have now?' But he could not speak or ask for anything. All he's been doing is crying."
Rup responded, “Please I want to talk to him. Tomorrow I am to be sent home. So let me say a few words to him. It will be for him to have peace.”
In that state, before someone was to be hanged for a criminal offense, he was allowed to fulfill any last desires, such as some special food to eat or to speak to someone. The guard went to the man and asked him if he would like to talk to Rup. Somehow, in his desperation, he agreed.
49
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
