Jain Stories 01

Author(s): Mahendramuni, K C Lalwani
Publisher: A B Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Samaj

Page 79

MUNIPATI
65 monks were advised to procure from one Antukarı (meaning never addressed as 'tu'-'you' in a derogatory sense) Bhatta
To help a fellow monk in difficulty or distress is a part of a monk's spiritual routine Two monks started at once to fetch the oul, This helped the quick recovery of the kingmonk He conveyed his gratitude to the monks and was about to move out, when the merchant prayed for his stay there during the monsoons Munipati agreed A room was allotted to him for his stay. As a routine, he spoke holy words during the days and spent the nights in meditation and kayotsarga.
In worldly life, wealth is a great separator It creates a rift between parents and children, between brothers and sisters, what to speak of others The merchant's son always quarrelled with his father for his own share, and the merchant was apprehensive, lest the son should usurp a good chunk out of it some day without his knowledge So he thought to keep a part of his wealth in hiding at some safe place No sooner did he think of it than he took action. He put a huge treasure in an underground cell beneath the chamber allotted for the monk's use
Somehow, the son got the clue So, one day, he took out the whole treasure and filled up the vacant space by a huge slab of stone When the monsoon months were nearing their end, and the merchant came to check his treasure, he found there nothing but a big slab He became nervous and the earth slipped from beneath his feet He started thinking who could have done this vile deed, and the more he thought, the more he felt sure that this could not have been done by any other person except the king-monk So he charged the monk in the clearest possible terms Said he
“Like the sechanaka (watering) elephant, holy sire, you have been ungrateful enough to remove my treasure"
The monk was startled at this unexpected charge, , but restraining himself, he said,