Jain Journal 1971 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 82

186
JAIN JOURNAL
Then Pradesi, the king said thus to Kesi, the young monk : “You are, Sir, so very shrewd, skilful, wise, clever, much talented, well-trained, learned and instructed. Are you able, Sir, to show me the soul by taking it out from the body as the Amalaka fruit in my palm?” At that time, not far from Pradesi, the king, wind arose and grass and plants began to shiver, tremble, move and shake. Then Kesi, the young monk said thus to Pradesi : “Do you see Pradesi, these grass and plants shivering, trembling, moving and shaking ?” “Yes, I see” “Do you know which god, demon serpent or Kinnara moves these grass and plant?" "Yes, I know. No god, or demon or serpent or Kinnara moves them, it is the wind that moves them.” “Do you, Pradesi, see the corporal form of this wind?” “No, that is impossible.” “If you, O Pradesi, do not see the corporal from of this wind ... how can I, Pradesi, show you the soul like an Amalaka in your hand ?”
Then Pradesi, the king said thus to Kesi, the young monk : "Sir, it is the faith of my grandfather that the soul is the same as the body and the soul and the body are not different. My fathers' faith was also the same. And so is mine. So I will not leave this faith of our family brought down by several generations." Then Kesi, the young monk, said thus to Pradesi, the king : "Don't you, O Pradesi, repent afterwards like that man who carried a load of iron ?" "Who was that man who carried a load of iron ?” “Pradesi, certain persons desirous of wealth entered a forest. Then those persons, having come up to a part of that forest saw a great iron mine. Being very pleased they took a load of iron and started as before. Then they came to another part of the forest where there was a great tin mine. They rejoiced at its sight and leaving the load of iron took enough tin instead. But there was one person amongst them who did not do the same. Then those persons said thus to that man, 'O Beloved of the gods, this is a tin mine. Even with a little tin much iron can be purchased. So leave this load of iron and take a load of tin.' Then that man said thus to them : 'O Beloved of the gods, this iron has been carried by me from a long distance and for a long time ... So I will not leave it.' Then as those persons could not persuade that man by telling many narratives or giving precepts, they started as before. The same thing happened when they came near copper mine, silver mine, gold mine, jewel mine and diamond mine. Then those persons returned to their country, and to their respective cities and made a sale of diamonds and got a number of servants, maidservants, cows, buffaloes and sheep, got constructed lofty palaces, lived enjoying all the pleasures of life. Then that man with the iron returned to his own city. Taking the load he made a sale of iron, then having consumed and exhausted the little money saw those persons