Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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he arrived at the palace. When king Samprati, who sat near the window of his palace, saw rya Suhast , he at once felt very familiar with him, as if he had seen him somewhere. While pondering about it, Samprati's knowledge of past lives revived. He sent his servants to find out the place of stay of crya Suhast. When he came to know where crya Suhast was stationed, he approached him and after listening to his discourses posed a question to him, “Lord! What is the fruit of Dharma?”
The c rya replied, “O king, following the holy law with equanimity, without implicit understanding, results in acquisition of kingdom, etc.”
“Yes Lord! What you are saying is true” saying this he asked one more question, “Lord, do you recognize me?”
c rya, using his cognitive consciousness, saw the past life of Samprati and answered, “I do know you; you were my disciple in your just previous birth.” Later, king Samprati under took the five lay-vows, gave up killing of animals and engaged himself in the progress and development of rama a congregation.
Past life of Samprati
Narrating his past life to him as an answer to his question c rya Suhast said, “O king! This is in relation to your just previous birth. Once in my wanderings I reached the city of Kau mb , along with my disciples. That time the city was gripped in severe famine. Hence, the common people could not even afford to see the food (let alone, eating). But the house holders because of deep veneration and devotion would give sufficient water and food to the rama as as alms. One day, my disciples, while begging alms went into a house. A poor, wretched and hungry beggar also followed them into the house. The host gave large amount of food and water to the monks, but he did not give even a grain to the beggar.
The hungry beggar followed my disciples begging for food. They explained to him that as per the rules prescribed for rama as they cannot give anything to a householder. The beggar, unable to tolerate the pangs of hunger, following them, came to me. He begged me also for food. With my cognition, I found out that in his next birth, he would
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