Book Title: Jain Legend Vol 4
Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Previous | Next

Page 201
________________ Jagad ha enquiringly looked at him and asked, "O great sage! Where do I possess that much money?" "O Virtuous Merchant! This boulder is an eternal source of money". Thus saying he looked at the boulder without batting an eyelid. Jagad ha went inside to bring him some clothes, and collecting some material when he came out to give to the sage, he was no where to be found. He looked around but the sage was not anywhere. Jagad ha realised that he was not a real sage, but was related to him from his previous births. He came only to inform him the way or give a chance to earn name and merit (pu ya). Thereupon he closely scrutinized the boulder. After a long scrutiny he could feel a joint in it. He poured some water over it; a small latch was skilfully and artistically fixed in it in such a way that it was not at all visible. He with great difficulty opened the latch. He could not believe his eyes. Not one, but five 'spar a-p a', i.e. p rasa (a stone which turns iron to gold by its mere touch) was inside it. To confirm, he touched a very big iron weight used for grains with the 'p rasa'. At once the iron weight which weighed some kilos turned into gold. His happiness knew no bounds. Now he felt sure that whatever his guru predicted that night in the lodgings is definitely going to happen. So he resolved decisively that he would collect grains on large scale to save the countrymen from the forthcoming famine. Then he started executing his plans into action. He appointed accountants and workers at different places all over the country to buy and collect grains. With a noble thought of serving the humanity, he continued amassing food grains. He hoarded grains in such huge quantities before the outbreak of famine that they will suffice to feed the entire nation even in an untoward situation of a prolonged famine. Not even a single person would die out of starvation or hunger. As predicted by the guru, (on the night when moon was piercing into the Rohi constellation) a nation-wide famine broke out in Vikram 1315. To rescue his countrymen against famine, Jagad ha opened shelters / inns at different places like Delhi, Stambhanapura, Dhavalakka, A ahillapura Pa a a, etc. Without any discrimination all the people were served 201

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241