Golden Steps To Salvation

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

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steal anything; and that if she did not act thus, the honour of their family would be lost in the presence of all the relatives. The mother replied: "I am not mad to ignore the honour of our family. I will not do any such thing. Surely you need not worry about it.”
Both of them joyfully joined the marriage celebrations. When the marriage celebrations ended they were bidding farewell to the daughters, sisters and relatives who were returning home. At that time, that woman stole a few blouse-pieces. Her son noticed this action of hers. At once, he shouted, “Mother! What are you doing here?”
The mother said, "Son ! I am not committing any theft. I am only doing something to feed my habit.”
The house-holders. became careful. They took back the blouse-pieces from her and sent away the mother and the son.
In olden days very severe punishment was given to those who committed thefts. Theft is normally committed with the hands. Hence the hands of a thief used to be Cutoll.
Once there were two ascetics by name Shanka and Likhitha. They happened to be brothers. Shanka was the elder brother and Likhitha was the younger. The king of the area gave these two brothers a garden as a gift. Half the garden belonged to Shanka and the other half belonged to Likhitha.
One day, the ascetic Likhitha was walking about in his part of the garden and by chance, he entered the area belonging to his brother, Shankha. Impelled by hunger, unaware of what he was doing, he plucked a fruit from a tree and ate it. After eating the fruit he realised that the fruit was adatta dan (something which was not given by the owner) and that he had unwittingly committed a theft. He wondered what he should do. At once, he went to Shankh Muni; informed him of the theft he had committed and asked for due punishment. Shankh Muni smiled and forgave him.