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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
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drink the water, he noticed another wounded soldier who lay nearby looking intently at the cup. Sir Philip Sidney found that he was more thirsty than he and that soldier's need was greater than his. Taking pity on the soldier, he thought, “All those who are wounded must die in it short time, if not now, a little time later. Let me do a good deed before I die.” Even before being asked for it Sir Philip Sidney gave him the cup of water, Blessed are those who render help to others even when they are dying.
A similar inspiring event took place in the life of Santa Ekanāth. Once Santa Ekanāth was going on a Piligrimage carrying the holy water of the Ganga accompanied by his friends and disciples. On the way, he saw a donkey standing by the road. It was suffering from great thirst. Santa Ekanāth pitying the animal gave all the holy water to it. After drinking the water, the donkey ran away in great joy. His friends and disciples said, "Master ! You have given away to the donkey the holy water which we brought with great difficulty over a long distance. Now, how will you perform the ablution ceremony for Lord Pandarināth?" Santa Ekanāth replied in a dignified tone, "Friends ! the holy water which I gave the thirsty donkey has directly reached the holy feet of Lord Pandarināth. Lord Pandarināth himself came here in the guise of a donkey." The follcwing incident that took place in the life of Maharshi (saint) Abu-Ali-Dakkak illustrates how great men derive delight from helping others. One day, Dakkak was invited to a dinner in a rich man's house. He set out to the rich man's house. On the way, he heard an old woman saying, “Oh God! You have granted me many children but you have not given me the means to feed them. Your dispensation is mysterious and strangc.” After hearing this, the saint continued on his way. He said to the rich man after reaching his house, “Please give me a large plate full of food.” At once, the rich man gave him a large plate full of excelllent dishes. The saint carrying the plate on his head went to the house of the old woman. He placed the plate before her. She began to dance with delight on seeing the food. Dakkak felt
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