Jain Stories 01

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

Page 91

MUNIPATI
-family to pay homage and obeisance The congregation was -full. Thousands had come to listen to the Lord
"At that time, a leper came to the assembly, His body was rotten and oozing out foul smell He came to the Lord, placed his head on the Lord's feet and besmeared them witb his pus The king felt a disgust but held bis tongue in the persence of the Lord Just then, the Lord sneezed and the leper remarked, 'You die' The king was hot with rage. Just then, the king sneezed and the leper observed, 'You live' The king was now in confusion Just then Abhayakumar sneezed and the fellow said, 'Live or die as you please' A fresh shock to the king's thought. Now, a butcher, Kalasaukarika by name, sneezed, and the leper - commented, 'Neither live, nor die.'
"To the king, the fellow appeared to be haughty and arrogant who besmeared the Lord's feet with his pus, who wished him death and made such curt observations about others, He overcame his confusion and asserted his
authority He asked his men to take him into custody as - soon as he moved out of the assembly and execute him at once. The leper heard the king's order but expressed no concern After the sermon, he quietly stood up and went out The king's men were ready outside, but before they could lay their hands on him, he assumbed a divine form and disappeared in the sky.
"The men at once reported the matter to the king, and the king made the following submission to the Lord.
'Bhante ! Who was this leper ?
The Lord said, 'Oh King ! His is a very long and complicated story. His curt observations throw light on many secret things'
'Bhante 1 If it suits thy convenience. I am keen to know all about him'
The Lord started
" 'In Kosambi, the city of King Satanika, there lived .a brahmin, Seduka, who was not only poor but also foolish.