Jain Stories 01

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

Page 85

MUNIPATI
617
miles They passed through villages, towns and metropolitan areas and at last reached the great forest. They were now at the very gate of success The two palm trees were there, with a swan on one of them and so, as per instruction, they entered into the forest At last, they were on the top of the mountain and saw the yogi from a distance What a brilliant forehead, glowing eyes, radiant body, a very embodiment of peace ! The king and the minister could scarcely remove their eyes from him They came near him and sat down with humility When the meditation was over, the yogi opened his eyes, but he didn't care for the two strangers who were seated before him So the king and the minister stayed on
"The two having successfully passed the test of perseverance, one day, the yogi said to the king, 'I am pleased with thee Ask for a boon' The king humbly said, 'Holy sire ! 'I have come all the way to this distant place only by thy attraction, and I am now at thy feet I entreat thee to give me the power to enter into another's body" The yogi agreed, but he said that the king alone was fit to receive it, not the other man, the minister, whom he declared wholly unfit
"This was a great disappointment for the minister, and tears rolled down his cheeks The king took pity on him, and begged for him 'Sure 1 If my minister's desire remained unfulfilled, I shall myself feel somewhat uneasy So, Out of your great kindness for me, please permit my minister to share the power with me
"Cautioning the king, the yogi said, 'But, king, if I agree to your request, that will do you harm Take care of your own future. In being too kind to the minister, you will simply endanger your own life He is no worthy person'
“The king was pure at heart He would never see bad in another So he repeated his prayer to the point of being insistent The yoge tried his best to caution the king, but.. at last he gave the power to both