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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
87
scholars spent the whole night reading books to find out an answer to the question. But, they could not find it anywhere. At the end, being tired of searching for the answer, they gave up their effort, and consoled themselves with the thought that Hemuji would be surely caught in this trap because he would be hanged if he, by his answer, insulted either the emperor or God. Atleast thus, they thought they would be free from the thorn of Hemuji's superiority.
With this idea concealed in their minds, they came to the court. The next day Hemuji had already come to the court.
The emperor said to the scholars, "The time-limit of twenty-four hours given to you is over. If anyone has found an answer to my question, he may speak it out." They were all silent because they had not been able to find out an answer to the emperor's question.
At the end the emperor put the same question to Hemuji. Soon after hearing the question, he gave his reply, “Your Highness! You can banish any one from your country but God cannot, because your power is limited to a certain territory but God's power is not limited to any territory. The whole universe is his. If God banishes anyone, where can the banished one go? God cannot send any one out of his universe.”
The emperor who was immensely pleased by Hemu's reply, immediately elevated him to the position of Chief Minister from the position of Finance Minister in his court. The position of Finance Minister fell vacant. Some scholar was given that position. The scholars who were jealous of Hemuji's elevation to the position of Chief Minister secretly planned with the Finance Minister and got a proclamation issued by the king. According to it, the Hindus, especially the Jain shrāvakas had to pay a havy tax. Those who failed to pay the tax would be imprisoned. On account of this, a large number of Jain shrāvakas had to go to jail. Hemuji who was also a shravaka was greatly grieved by this. His duty or
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