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The great Congress conferred upon him the highest scholarly award in recognition of his vast knowledge. After this astounding triumph, he returned to his home State of Gujarat, feeling proud of his achievement. He held his head high, curled up his lip in disdain. The five hundred flag-bearers walked in front, and Pandits surrounded him on all sides, loud in their compliments. Truly he was like a luminous star, surrounded by hundreds of satellites.
The news of this triumphal return reached the ears of Yogi Anandghanji. His eyes were moist with the mingled emotions of joy and sorrow. True, the young man's triumph was great, but it ill became a Sadhu to be so vain about his knowledge. Knowledge should always be accompanied with humility.
One evening, the Yogiraj called on the young scholar, and after many intellectual discussions, asked him with seeming simplicity, “Whose knowledge would you consider deeper, ours, or that of the fourteen Purvadharas ?"**
The young scholar exclaimed in utter amazement, “Maharaj, what a strange question! The Purvadhara is a veritable Ocean of Knowledge! In comparison with him, ours is only a drop in the ocean.”
The Yogiraj smiled pleasantly and remarked almost casually, “Then in that case, he must be preceded by a million flag-bearers proclaiming his triumph" * One who knows fourteen Jain Scriptures.
