Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 10

Five Grains of Rice
JAGADISH CHANDRA JAIN
In Rajagrha there lived a rich, prosperous and wise merchant named Dhanya. He had four daughters-in-law, named Ujjhika, Bhogavati, Raksika and Rohini.
One day Dhanya thought to himself,
"I am the head of the family, no one takes any step without consulting me ; if by chance I am not at home or fall sick or die, what will happen to the family and who will take care of them ?"
So he decided to call all his friends, relatives and colleagues for a grand feast and sent out invitations.
Huge preparations were made to make the feast memorable. Expert cooks were invited and asked to prepare their special dishes. The house was cleaned and decorated with fragrant flowers and beautiful garlands and purified incenses.
All the relatives and friends enjoyed the feast to their heart's content. After they relaxed, Dhanya called his daughters-in-law. With the intention of finding out their capabilities, he decided to put them to a test.
Dhanya said,
“I am giving each one of you five grains of rice, keep them safely and whenever I ask for them return them to me.”
The daughters-in-law wondered as to why their father-in-law had given them just five grains of rice and told them to safeguard them. But still they did not question him and said,
"As you wish, father.” and retired to their respective rooms.
The eldest, Ujjhika (one who throws) thought,
“My father-in-law has godowns full of grains, why should I bother