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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
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Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
suggested to that minister, who was afraid of being punished for mistakes in the account, a method of escaping punishment.
The next day, the minister went to the Emperor to read out the accounts. A mistake was discovered by the Emperor. The minister was ordered to eat the pages of the account. He began eating the accounts. The emperor was amazed to see that there were no signs of discomfort or digust on the face of the minister. When the emperor asked him for the reason, the minister said that according to the suggestion of Hemuji he had written out the accounts on chapātis (cakes) which were like papers; and that was why he was eating them happily. There could be no unhappiness in eating cakes.
The emperor praised Hemuji in the presence of all courtiers and on hearing it, they began to burn with jealousy. They said, "We too can give such answers. Kindly test us also.'
The emperor said, "Very good. I will ask you a question. Let me see who will give the right answer. I will give the position of Chief Minister to that gentleman who gives me a satisfactory answer. In this proposed contest, Hemuji also may participate. Today, he is on leave. Tomorrow, when he is present, I shall pose the question to him also."
All the scholars said, "Very good, we agree to that. You may kindly ask us the question. We will also try to answer it properly and secure the position of Chief Minister.
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The Emperor said, "I wish to know what is it which I can do but God cannot do. Please, give me the right answer." When the scholars heard this question, their faces fell because they could not insult either the emperor or God. It was a difficult problem for them. The answer to the question did not flash to them; yet to safeguard their self-respect they requested the emperor to give them twenty-four hours time. The emperor gave them twenty-four hours to give the right answer. The
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