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| Harikesh Bal
This story is more than two thousand five hundred years old but even today it serves as a guiding factor for social and political environment. Harikesh Bal was born in a poor and so called untouchable family. His dark complexion and fearful and bizarre appearance made him repulsive even to people of his own caste and clan. Over and above this, his angry and jealous temperament added fuel to the fire of his sorrow.
With the blessings of a guru Harikesh Bal, the object of everyone's hatred, finds the path of austerities. He conquers his anger. Conquering his faults, he one day becomes an austere shraman (ascetic) venerated by gods. People infested with their caste-prejudice slight and insult Muni (ascetic) Harikesh Bal. The forgiving Muni influences these people with his tolerance, knowledge, and power of austerities, and shows them the true path. Removing casteism, he furls the flag of the victory of austerities, renunciation, and self-discipline at a prominent center of religion like Varanasi.
This story, presented in interesting style, is based on the Jain scripture Uttaradhyayan Sutra and its commentary. The importance of Jain principle of the good deeds and not of caste has immensely helped towards welfare of humanity.
The story has been written by the famous restorer of pilgrimage centers Kalyanak Tirthoddharak Acharya Shrimad Vijaya Nityanand Surishvar ji M. We are indebted to him for this favour. Many of the picture stories of this series have reached our readers through his inspiration only.
-Shrichand Surana 'Saras' Written by : - Acharya Shrimad Vijaya Nityanand Suri Editor: Managing Editors :
Translator : Muni Chidanand Vijaya Dr. Mansukhbhai Jain, Sanjay Surana Surendra Bothara
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