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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
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happy to see her joy and he returned home hungry. This is true benevolence.
Here is the example of another Muslim saint. Abul Kassim Nashoravadi had gone to Mecca seventy times. Once on his way, he saw a hungry dog. At that time, he had nothing to give it. Suddenly an idea flashed to him. He began shouting aloud, “I am prepared to give away the merit of forty piligrimages to Mecca in exchange for a loaf of bread. If any one is willing to take it and give me bread, let him come forward.”
Hearing this, a Pilgrim came forward. He gave Abul Kassim some bread in exchange for the merit of forty pilgrimages to Mecca. With great tenderness and compassion, Abul Kassim gave the bread to the dog and proceeded on his pilgrimage. What a great sacrifice it is ! What bewidlering bene volence !
Saint Vinobhā has described the difference between Devas (gods) and Rakshasas (demons). He says, “Those who give away in charity are gods and those who hoard wealth with cupidity are demons."
A certain king asked his minister, “What is the difference between gods and demons?” The minister said, "I will give you my reply to this question tomorrow." The next day, he invited one hundred brāhmins to the
alace to a dinner. First, he made fifty brāhmins sit in two lines of twenty five each, each line facing the other. He ordered servants to tie the right hands of the brāhmins with bamboo sticks, so, that they might not bend them. The result was when the food was served, the brahmins remained hungry unable to eat the food. Only when their hands where freed, they ate the food. One hour later, the other fifty brāhmins were made to sit in the same manner, facing each other, with their right hands bound to bamboo sticks. But these brahmins thought, “Our hands are tied. We cannot bend them, but we can feed those who are near us.” Accordingly, they fed one another and each man ate to his satisfaction. At the end, the King sent them away with gifts.
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