Jain Legend Vol 4

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

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A wealthy merchant called Lak mipati, with qualities befitting his name, lived in Dh r nagar . He was a staunch practitioner of Jainism and a very generous person.
r pati and r dhara, the two sons of a Brahmin called K a, residents of a certain village in Madhya Pradesh, successfully completed their study of Veda-Ved mgas and acquired scholarship in many subjects (Vidy s). Soon after, they set out on a tour from their village and wandering through many places, reached Dh r nagar.
Getting to know about the generosity and helping nature of the virtuous merchant Lak mipati, both the brothers went to his place to seek alms. The merchant with great love and affection offered them food and necessary things like vessels, clothes, etc. Both the brothers decided to stay in Dh r nagar for some time. Every day they would go to Lak mipati's house seeking alms which he used to offer with affection.
There was a huge ancient rock inscription near the drawing room of Lak mipati's house. The religious doctrines, ancestry and their significant achievements with all particulars like date, day, year, etc. were mentioned in detail on the inscription. r pati and r dhara noticed the inscription and read it completely. They found it very significant, interesting and delightful. Whenever they went to the merchant's house seeking alms, they would read it devotedly with utmost concentration. Thus they read it many times thoroughly understanding every syllable.
One day Lak mipati's house caught fire. The blazing fire not only engulfed his immense wealth but also destroyed the huge rock inscription burning it into two pieces. Lak mipati grieved more for the loss of the inscription.
The next day, when r pati and r dhara came to his house, they saw the merchant plunged in deep sorrow. They also felt distressed about the damage caused by the inferno. When r pati expressed his heart-felt condolences, the merchant replied, “I am not grieving much over the loss of grains, clothes, utensils and riches; my greatest grief is about the loss of that ancient inscription which was completely destroyed. I can earn the riches once again, but I can in no way re-engrave the significant ancient inscription."
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