Jain Satyaprakash 1936 11 12 SrNo 16 17

Author(s): Jaindharm Satyaprakash Samiti - Ahmedabad
Publisher: Jaindharm Satyaprakash Samiti Ahmedabad

Page 85

૧૯૯૩ Lord Mahavira
૨૦૫ to have large logs of wood cut and brought to the town from the adjoining forest, went there, with a party of servants, bullock-carts and food materials for himself and his party, and ordered his men to fell down trees and prepare the required wood. Some of his servants were preparing food for them, at a suitable place near-by. At mid-day the whole party became hungry and Nayasāra was informed that dinner was ready.
Nayasära ordered his men to stop working, and as he was preparing to go to the place where dinner was ready for him, an idea came to his mind "If I come across any mendicant now, I will first feed him, and then, I will take my dinner."
in old times, it was customary with ascetics, while crossing a forest or a desert to seek out company of a carravan of persons going that way, and they would comfortably and fearlessly cross it. Some Sādhus seeing the approach of dinner-time, went to the neighbouring village asking for food. The carrayan did not wait for them and went away. They could not get any food from the village, so burning under the heat of midday sun, afflicted with the pangs of hunger and thirst, with their bodies hot with extreme heat, and their clothes drenched with copious perspiration, the estranged Sadhus, in search of their way out of the forest, happened to approach the place where Nayasārā had encamped himself with his men.
When Nayasāra was looking around with the idea of giving food to a mendicant before taking his meals, he was greatly pleased with the estranged Sadhus approaching the place. He went forwarded to receive them, and respectfully greeting them said 0 revered persons ! how did you happen to come into this unfathomable forest ? Persops armed with weapons cannot with impunity move about in this forest.' The Sādhus narrated the whole account, and Naya sāra was much grieved to see them deserted in this unfathomable forest, and saying 'O fortunate personages, it is my good luck that you have come at this opportune time as my guests' he took them to the place where food was ready for him and his party, and gave them food and drink with purity of the heart. The Sadhus seeing a place near-by, suitable for them went there and duly took their food and drink.
After having fully propitiated the Sadhus with food and drink, Nayasära, with a heart full of joy, took his meals and then went to the place where the Sadhus were sitting after taking their food and drink. Requesting them with a low bow and saying "I will show you the road to the town' Nayasara accompained the Sadhus and as soon as they reached the