Jain Lesson I

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: Diwakar Prakashan

Page 61

food and let them stay in one of her vacant houses. While staying there, Uda slowly started saving money by warking hard. After a while, he thought of carrying out some repairs in the old house which he was occupying.
He went to Laxmiben and asked for permission to start the repairing. She replied that she had already given the house to him, and he could do whatever he liked. Uda felt thankful and carried out, some badly needed repairs.
After a few months however the old house fell down. Uda therefore decided to rebuild it and started digging the foundation. While digging he found a valuable treasure hidden under the ground. Uda believed that the treasure belonged to Laxmiven since it was her house. He therefore went to Laxmiben and offered the treasure to her. Laxmiben was however a true Laxmidevi (goddess of wealth) by heart. She refused to accept it and said, "Are you kidding? That is not my house any more. I gave it to you long back. Now, why should I have any connection with it?"
Uda tried hard to persuade her, but Laxmiben did not change her mind. She did not even touch the treasure. At last Uda had to take it back with him. Now, Uda was no longer poor. He became Udayan Sheth.
Laxmiben is praiseworthy. She had a very generous heart. Even though she herself was an average woman, she helped others without asking for anything in return. She gave one of her houses to a stranger, because he belonged to the same religious faith. She did not even think of keeping the treasure.
Generosity is a great virtue and it is a sign of true religious feeling. Laxmiben will be remembered for her generosity. We must try to be generous like her.
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