________________
Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
97
Lakshmidevi one lakh gold coins as a reward to the poet and told her that he would call on the poet the next day.
Lakshmidevi requested some servant there to carry the bag and when she was returning home, accompanied by the servant, she saw on the way a number of beggars. She gave plenty of coins to each beggar on the way with both her hands by way of charity. The result was that by the timc she reached the garden, there was not a single coin left in the bag.
The poet asked her, “Was not the king Bhoja pleascd by my poem?” Lakshmidevi replied, "Who would not appreciate your poem? The king Bhoja read the poem and was delighted by it. He also promised to visit you tomorrow." The poet said, "You say he was so greatly delighted by my poem. Did he not give any reward ? We have heard that king Bhoja rewards poets generously "TTER FETHCT 17:1" (Pratyaksharam Lakshmadatta Bhojah.) King Bhoja gives one lakh for every word of a poem which he appreciates. Did he not give you anything ?” She replied, “Why not? He gave me one lakh gold coins filled in this bag. But, on the way many beggars mentioning your name begged for help and I gave plenty of coins to each of them and now there is not a single coin in the bag.” Māgha said joyfully, “Very good! I am very happy to hear it. You are really fit to be my wife. A wife is a sahadhar.
ni (one who shares the dharma or the ethiral and reli. gious principles of her husband). She should observe the same principles as her husband. My dharma or principle is charity. You have carried out the duty of a sahadharmini by acting according to my dharma or principle. We have been hungry for several days, if we are hungry for one more day no mountain will crumble to the earth. To extinguish the fire of adversity, we have the water of contentment and happiness, that is real wealth. Your magnanimity has filled me with an indescribable felicity. But then, there is one grief: G.S.-7
For Private And Personal Use Only
